Variable magnification optical system, optical apparatus, and method for producing variable magnification optical system

ABSTRACT

A variable magnification optical system comprising, in order from an object side, a first lens group having positive refractive power, a second lens group having negative refractive power, a third lens group having positive refractive power, and a rear lens group having positive refractive power; upon varying a magnification, a distance between the first lens group and the second lens group being varied, a distance between the second lens group and the third lens group being varied, and a distance between the third lens group and the rear lens group being varied; the rear lens group comprising a focusing lens group which is moved upon carrying out focusing from an infinitely distant object to a closely distant object; and predetermined conditional expression(s) being satisfied, thereby various aberrations being corrected superbly.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a variable magnification optical system, an optical apparatus and a method for manufacturing the variable magnification optical system.

BACKGROUND ART

There has been proposed a variable magnification optical system that is small in size but can adopt large-sized image pick-up device suitable for photo-taking a motion picture and for effecting high speed focusing. For example, refer to Japanese Patent application Laid-Open Gazette No. 2015-064492. However, in the conventional variable magnification optical system, corrections of various aberrations have not been made sufficiently.

PRIOR ART REFERENCE Patent Document

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent application Laid-Open Gazette No. 2015-064492.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to a variable magnification optical system comprising, in order from an object side, a first lens group having positive refractive power, a second lens group having negative refractive power, a third lens group having positive refractive power, and a rear lens group having positive refractive power;

upon varying a magnification, a distance between said first lens group and said second lens group being varied, a distance between said second lens group and said third lens group being varied, and a distance between said third lens group and said rear lens group being varied;

said rear lens group comprising a focusing lens group which is moved upon carrying out focusing; and

the following conditional expressions being satisfied: −1.00<f3f/f3r<−0.0500 0.100<BFw/fw<1.00

where f3f denotes a focal length of a most image plane side negative lens component in said third lens group; f3r denotes a composite focal length of lens components disposed on a side which is closer to the object than said most image plane side negative lens component, in said third lens group; BFw denotes a back focus of said variable magnification optical system in a wide angle end state; and fw denotes a focal length of said variable magnification optical system in the wide angle end state.

Further, the present invention is related to a method for manufacturing a variable magnification optical system comprising, in order from an object side, a first lens group having positive refractive power, a second lens group having negative refractive power, a third lens group having positive refractive power, and a rear lens group having positive refractive power; the method comprising the steps of:

constructing such that, upon varying a magnification, a distance between said first lens group and said second lens group is varied, a distance between said second lens group and said third lens group is varied, and a distance between said third lens group and said rear lens group is varied;

constructing such that said rear lens group comprises a focusing lens group which is moved upon carrying out focusing; and

constructing such that the following conditional expressions are satisfied: −1.00<f3f/f3r<−0.0500 0.100<BFw/fw<1.00

where f3f denotes a focal length of a most image plane side negative lens component in said third lens group; f3r denotes a composite focal length of lens components disposed on a side which is closer to the object than said most image plane side negative lens component, in said third lens group; BFw denotes a back focus of said variable magnification optical system in a wide angle end state; and fw denotes a focal length of said variable magnification optical system in the wide angle end state.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A, FIG. 1B and FIG. 1C are cross sectional views in the wide angle end state, in the intermediate focal length state and in the telephoto end state, respectively, of a variable magnification optical system according to a First Example.

FIG. 2A, FIGS. 2B and 2C are graphs showing various aberrations, upon focusing on an infinite distance object, in the wide angle end state, in the intermediate focal length state, and in the telephoto end state, respectively, of the variable magnification optical system according to the First Example

FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B and FIG. 3C are graphs showing various aberrations, upon focusing on a close distance object, in the wide angle end state, in the intermediate focal length state, and in the telephoto end state, respectively, of the variable magnification optical system according to the First Example.

FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B and FIG. 4C are cross sectional views in the wide angle end state, in the intermediate focal length state and in the telephoto end state, respectively, of a variable magnification optical system according to a Second Example.

FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B and FIG. 5C are graphs showing various aberrations, upon focusing on an infinite distance object, in the wide angle end state, in the intermediate focal length state, and in the telephoto end state, respectively, of the variable magnification optical system according to the Second Example.

FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B and FIG. 6C are graphs showing various aberrations, upon focusing on a close distance object, in the wide angle end state, in the intermediate focal length state and in the telephoto end state, respectively, of the variable magnification optical system according to the Second Example.

FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B and FIG. 7C are cross sectional views in the wide angle end state, in the intermediate focal length state and in the telephoto end state, respectively, of a variable magnification optical system according to a Third Example.

FIG. 8A, FIG. 8B and FIG. 8C are graphs showing various aberrations, upon focusing on an infinite distance object, in the wide angle end state, in the intermediate focal length state, and in the telephoto end state, respectively, of the variable magnification optical system according to the Third Example.

FIG. 9A, FIG. 9B and FIG. 9C are graphs showing various aberrations, upon focusing on a close distance object, in the wide angle end state, in the intermediate focal length state and in the telephoto end state, respectively, of the variable magnification optical system according to the Third Example.

FIG. 10A, FIG. 10B and FIG. 10C are cross sectional views in the wide angle end state, in the intermediate focal length state and in the telephoto end state, respectively, of a variable magnification optical system according to a Fourth Example.

FIG. 11A, FIG. 11B and FIG. 11C are graphs showing various aberrations, upon focusing on an infinite distance object, in the wide angle end state, in the intermediate focal length state and in the telephoto end state, respectively, of the variable magnification optical system according to the Fourth Example.

FIG. 12A, FIG. 12B and FIG. 12C are graphs showing various aberrations, upon focusing on a close distance object, in the wide angle end state, in the intermediate focal length state and in the telephoto end state, respectively, of the variable magnification optical system according to the Fourth Example.

FIG. 13A, FIG. 13B and FIG. 13C are cross sectional views in the wide angle end state, in the intermediate focal length state and in the telephoto end state, respectively, of a variable magnification optical system according to a Fifth Example.

FIG. 14A, FIG. 14B and FIG. 14C are graphs showing various aberrations, upon focusing on an infinite distance object, in the wide angle end state, in the intermediate focal length state and in the telephoto end state, respectively, of the variable magnification optical system according to the Fifth Example.

FIG. 15A, FIG. 15B and FIG. 15C are graphs showing various aberrations, upon focusing on a close distance object, in the wide angle end state, in the intermediate focal length state and in the telephoto end state, respectively, of the variable magnification optical system according to the Fifth Example.

FIG. 16A, FIG. 16B and FIG. 16C are cross sectional views in the wide angle end state, in the intermediate focal length state and in the telephoto end state, respectively, of a variable magnification optical system according to a Sixth Example.

FIG. 17A, FIG. 17B and FIG. 17C are graphs showing various aberrations, upon focusing on an infinite distance object, in the wide angle end state, in the intermediate focal length state and in the telephoto end state, respectively, of the variable magnification optical system according to the Sixth Example.

FIG. 18A, FIG. 18B and FIG. 18C are graphs showing various aberrations, upon focusing on a close distance object, in the wide angle end state, in the intermediate focal length state and in the telephoto end state, respectively, of the variable magnification optical system according to the Sixth Example.

FIG. 19A, FIG. 19B and FIG. 19C are cross sectional views in the wide angle end state, in the intermediate focal length state and in the telephoto end state, respectively, of a variable magnification optical system according to a Seventh Example.

FIG. 20A, FIG. 20B and FIG. 20C are graphs showing various aberrations, upon focusing on an infinite distance object, in the wide angle end state, in the intermediate focal length state and in the telephoto end state, respectively, of the variable magnification optical system according to the Seventh Example.

FIG. 21A, FIG. 21B and FIG. 21C are graphs showing various aberrations, upon focusing on a close distance object, in the wide angle end state, in the intermediate focal length state, and in the telephoto end state, respectively, of the variable magnification optical system according to the Seventh Example.

FIG. 22A, FIG. 22B and FIG. 22C are cross sectional views in the wide angle end state, in the intermediate focal length state and in the telephoto end state, respectively, of a variable magnification optical system according to an Eighth Example.

FIG. 23A, FIG. 23B and FIG. 23C are graphs showing various aberrations, upon focusing on an infinite distance object, in the wide angle end state, in the intermediate focal length state and in the telephoto end state, respectively, of the variable magnification optical system according to the Eighth Example.

FIG. 24A, FIG. 24B and FIG. 24C are graphs showing various aberrations, upon focusing on a close distance object, in the wide angle end state, in the intermediate focal length state, and in the telephoto end state, respectively, of the variable magnification optical system according to the Eighth Example.

FIG. 25 is a view showing a configuration of a camera equipped with the variable magnification optical system.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart schematically showing a method for manufacturing the variable magnification optical system.

EMBODIMENT FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, a variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment, an optical apparatus and a method for manufacturing the variable magnification optical system, will be explained. At first, the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment will be explained.

The variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment comprises, in order from an object side, a first lens group having positive refractive power, a second lens group having negative refractive power, a third lens group having positive refractive power, and a rear lens group having positive refractive power;

upon varying a magnification from a wide angle end state to a telephoto end state, a distance between said first lens group and said second lens group being varied, a distance between said second lens group and said third lens group being varied, and a distance between said third lens group and said rear lens group being varied;

said rear lens group comprising a focusing lens group which is moved upon carrying out focusing from an infinite distance object to a close distance object; and

the following conditional expressions (1) and (2) being satisfied: −1.00<f3f/f3r<−0.0500  (1) 0.100<BFw/fw<1.00  (2)

where f3f denotes a focal length of a most image plane side negative lens component in said third lens group; f3r denotes a composite focal length of lens components disposed on a side which is closer to the object than said most image plane side negative lens component, in said third lens group; BFw denotes a back focus of said variable magnification optical system in a wide angle end state; and fw denotes a focal length of said variable magnification optical system in the wide angle end state.

In the present embodiment, the rear lens group of the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment comprises at least two lens groups. Meanwhile, in the present embodiment, a lens group means a portion which comprises at least one lens separated by an air space. Further, in the present embodiment, a lens component means a single lens or a cemented lens composed of two or more lenses cemented with each other.

The variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment can conduct superbly aberration corrections upon varying a magnification, by varying distances between the respective lens groups upon varying a magnification from a wide angle end state to a telephoto end state. Further, the focusing lens group may be made compact and reduced in weight by disposing the focusing lens group in the rear lens group, and as a result, high speed focusing becomes possible and the variable magnification optical system and the lens barrel can be small-sized.

The conditional expression (1) defines a ratio of a focal length of a most image plane side negative lens component in the third lens group to a composite focal length of lens components disposed on a side which is closer to the object than the most image plane side negative lens component in the third lens group. With satisfying the conditional expression (1), the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment can correct superbly spherical aberration and astigmatism.

When the value of f3f/f3r is equal to or exceeds the upper limit of the conditional expression (1), refractive power of the most image plane side negative lens component in the third lens group increases relative to refractive power of lens components disposed on the side which is closer to the object than the most image plane side negative lens component in the third lens group, and it becomes difficult to correct superbly spherical aberration in a telephoto end state. Meanwhile, in order to secure the effect of the present embodiment more surely, it is preferable to set the upper limit value of the conditional expression (1) to −0.100. In order to secure the effect of the present embodiment much more surely, it is preferable to set the upper limit value of the conditional expression (1) to −0.150 and much more preferable to −0.190.

On the other hand, when the value of f3f/f3r is equal to or falls below the lower limit of the conditional expression (1), refractive power of lens components disposed on the side which is closer to the object than the most image plane side negative lens component in the third lens group increases relative to the refractive power of the most image plane side negative lens component in the third lens group, and it becomes difficult to correct superbly astigmatism in the wide angle end state. Meanwhile, in order to secure the effect of the present embodiment more surely, it is preferable to set the lower limit value of the conditional expression (1) to −0.800. In order to secure the advantageous effect of the present embodiment—much more surely, it is preferable to set the lower limit value of the conditional expression (1) to −0.700, more preferable to −0.600, much more preferable to −0.550 and—much more and more preferable to −0.500.

The conditional expression (2) defines a ratio of a back focus of the variable magnification optical system in the wide angle end state and a focal length of the variable magnification optical system in the wide angle end state.

With satisfying the conditional expression (2), the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment can correct superbly a coma aberration and other various aberrations in the wide angle end state. Meanwhile, by the term “back focus” is meant a distance from the most image side lens surface to the image plane on the optical axis.

When the value of BFw/fw is equal to or exceeds the upper limit of the conditional expression (2), the back focus of the variable magnification optical system in the wide angle end state relative to the focal length of the variable magnification optical system in the wide angle end state becomes large and it becomes difficult to correct superbly various aberrations in the wide angle end state. Meanwhile, in order to attain the advantageous effect of the present embodiment more surely, it is preferable to set the upper limit value of the conditional expression (2) to 0.91. Further, in order to attain the advantageous effect of the present embodiment much more surely, it is preferable to set the upper limit value of the conditional expression (2) to 0.85. and much more preferable to 0.80.

On the other hand, when the value of BFw/fw is equal to or falls below the lower limit of the conditional expression (2), the back focus of the variable magnification optical system in the wide angle end state relative to the focal length of the variable magnification optical system in the wide angle end state becomes small, and it becomes difficult to correct various aberrations in the wide angle end state, and in particular coma aberration superbly. Meanwhile, in order to secure the advantageous effect of the present embodiment more surely, it is preferable to set the lower limit value of the conditional expression (2) to 0.300. In order to secure the advantageous effect of the present embodiment much more surely, it is preferable to set the lower limit value of the conditional expression (2) to 0.400 and more preferable to 0.500.

Incidentally, in the conditional expression (2), “back focus of the variable magnification optical system in the wide angle end state” denoted by BFw may be made “back focus of the variable magnification optical system in the state where the whole length is smallest”, and “focal length of the variable magnification optical system in the wide angle end state” denoted by fw may be “focal length of the variable magnification optical system in the state where the whole length is smallest”. That is to say, the conditional expression (2) may be expressed, as below: 0.100<BFs/fs<1.00  (2) where BFs denotes a back focus of said variable magnification optical system in a state where the whole length is smallest, and fs denotes a focal length of said variable magnification optical system in the state where the whole length is smallest.

By the above-mentioned configuration, the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment can be small-sized but be made compatible with a large sized imaging device, so the variable magnification optical system which can correct superbly various aberrations upon varying magnification and upon carrying out focusing can be realized.

In the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment, it is desirable that the following conditional expression (3) is satisfied: 2.00<f1/fw<8.000  (3) where f1 denotes a focal length of the first lens group, and fw denotes a focal length of the variable magnification optical system in the wide angle end state.

The conditional expression (3) defines a ratio of the focal length of the first lens group to the focal length of the variable magnification optical system in the wide angle end state. With satisfying the conditional expression (3), the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment can correct superbly coma aberration and other various aberrations in the wide angle end state.

When the value of f1/fw is equal to or exceeds the upper limit value of the conditional expression (3) of the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment, refractive power of the first lens group becomes small, and it becomes difficult to correct superbly various aberrations in the wide angle end state. Meanwhile, in order to secure the advantageous effect of the present embodiment more surely, it is preferable to set the upper limit value of the conditional expression (3) to 7.000, and further in order to secure the advantageous effect of the present embodiment much more surely, it is preferable to set the upper limit value of the conditional expression (3) to 6.500, and more preferable to 6.000.

On the other hand, when the value of f1/fw in the conditional expression (3) of the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment, is equal to or falls below the lower limit value, refractive power of the first lens group becomes large, and it becomes difficult to correct various aberrations in the wide angle end state, and in particular coma aberration. Meanwhile, in order to secure the advantageous effect of the present embodiment more surely, it is preferable to set the lower limit value of the conditional expression (3) to 3.00. Further, in order to secure the advantageous effect of the present embodiment more surely, it is preferable to set the lower limit value of the conditional expression (3) to 4.00, and more preferable to 4.50.

In the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment, it is desirable that the following conditional expression (4) is satisfied: 0.040<βFw<0.800  (4) where βFw denotes a transverse magnification of the focusing lens group in the wide angle end state.

The conditional expression (4) defines a transverse magnification of the focusing lens group in the wide angle end state. With satisfying the conditional expression (4), the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment can make amount of movement of the focusing lens group upon focusing small so that the variable magnification optical system can be made small-sized.

When the value of βFw is equal to or exceeds the upper limit value of the conditional expression (4) of the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment, the amount of movement of the focusing lens group upon focusing becomes large, so it becomes difficult to make the variable magnification optical system small-sized. Meanwhile, in order to secure the advantageous effect of the present embodiment surely, it is preferable to set the upper limit value of the conditional expression (4) to 0.770. Further, in order to secure the advantageous effect of the present embodiment much more surely, it is preferable to set the upper limit value of the conditional expression (4) to 0.750, and more preferable to 0.730.

On the other hand, when the value of βFw in the conditional expression (4) of the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment, is equal to or falls below the lower limit value, sensitivity becomes high and the amount of movement of the focusing lens group upon focusing becomes small, so it becomes difficult to control focusing.

Meanwhile, in order to secure the advantageous effect of the present embodiment more surely it is preferable to set the lower limit value of the conditional expression (4) to 0.200. Further, in order to secure the advantageous effect of the present embodiment much more surely, it is preferable to set the lower limit value of the conditional expression (4) to 0.300 and more preferable to 0.400.

It is desirable that, in the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment, the rear lens group comprises a fourth lens group having positive refractive power and a fifth lens group having negative refractive power and satisfies the following conditional expression (5): −3.000<f5/f3<−0.500  (5) where f3 denotes a focal length of the third lens group, and f5 denotes a focal length of the fifth lens group.

The conditional expression (5) defines a ratio of the focal length of the fifth lens group to the focal length of the third lens group.

With satisfying the conditional expression (5), the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment can maintain power ratio between the third lens group and the fifth lens group properly and correct superbly astigmatism and coma aberration.

When the value of f5/f3 is equal to or exceeds the upper limit value of the conditional expression (5) of the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment, refractive power of the third lens group relative to refractive power of the fifth lens group becomes large and it becomes difficult to correct various aberrations in the wide angle end state and in particular astigmatism superbly. Meanwhile, in order to secure the advantageous effect of the present embodiment more surely, it is preferable to set the upper limit value of the conditional expression (5) to −0.800. In order to secure the advantageous effect of the present embodiment much more surely, it is preferable to set the upper limit value of the conditional expression (5) to −1.000, and more preferable to −1.100.

On the other hand, when the value of f5/f3 in the conditional expression (5) of the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment, is equal to or falls below the lower limit value, refractive power of the fifth lens group relative to refractive power of the third lens group becomes large, and it becomes difficult to correct various aberrations in the telephoto end state, and in particular coma aberration superbly. Meanwhile, in order to secure the advantageous effect of the present embodiment more surely, it is preferable to set the lower limit value of the conditional expression (5) to −2.500. Further, in order to secure the advantageous effect of the present embodiment much more surely, it is preferable to set the lower limit value of the conditional expression (5) to −2.000, and more preferable to −1.400.

Further, it is desirable that, in the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment, the fourth lens group comprises a focusing lens group. With such a configuration, in the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment, the focusing lens group may be small in size and light in weight, and as a result the variable magnification optical system and a lens barrel can be made small in size.

In the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment, it is desirable that the following conditional expression (6) is satisfied: 4.000<f1/f1Rw<9.000  (6) where f1 denotes the focal length of the first lens group, and f1Rw denotes a composite focal length of lens groups in the wide angle end state disposed on the side which is closer to the image plane than the first lens group.

The conditional expression (6) defines a ratio of the focal length of the first lens group relative to the composite focal length of lens groups in the wide angle end state disposed on the side which is closer to the image plane—than the first lens group. With satisfying the conditional expression (6), the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment can correct superbly coma aberration and other various aberrations in the wide angle end state. Further, with satisfying the conditional expression (6), variations in spherical aberration and other various aberrations can be suppressed upon varying magnification from the wide angle end state to the telephoto end state.

When the value of f1/f1Rw is equal to or exceeds the upper limit value of the conditional expression (6) of the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment, refractive power of the lens groups in the wide angle end state disposed on the side which is closer to the image plane than the first lens group, becomes large, and it becomes difficult to correct various aberrations in the wide angle end state and, in particular, coma aberration superbly. Further, upon varying magnification from the wide angle end state to the telephoto end state, it becomes difficult to suppress variations in spherical aberration and in other various aberrations. Meanwhile, in order to secure the advantageous effect of the present embodiment more surely, it is preferable to set the upper limit value of the conditional expression (6) to 8.500. Further, in order to secure the advantageous effect of the present embodiment much more surely, it is preferable to set the upper limit value of the conditional expression (6) to 8.000, and more preferable to 6.500.

On the other hand, when the value of f1/f1Rw in the conditional expression (6) of the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment, is equal to or falls below the lower limit value, refractive power of the first lens group becomes large, and it becomes difficult to correct various aberrations in the wide angle end state and in particular coma aberration superbly. Further, upon varying magnification from the wide angle end state to the telephoto end state, it becomes difficult to suppress variations in spherical aberration and in other various aberrations. Meanwhile, in order to secure the advantageous effect of the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment more surely, it is preferable to set the lower limit value of the conditional expression (6) to 5.000. And in order to secure the advantageous effect of the present embodiment much more surely, it is preferable to set the lower limit value of the conditional expression (6) to 5.100, and more preferable to 5.200.

In the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment, it is desirable that the following conditional expression (7) is satisfied: nd3fp<1.800  (7) where nd3fp denotes refractive index of a lens having the largest refractive index in the third lens group.

The conditional expression (7) defines refractive index of the lens having the largest refractive index in the third lens group. With using glass material having high refractive index satisfying the conditional expression (7), the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment can correct superbly longitudinal chromatic aberration and spherical aberration.

When the value of nd3fp is equal to or exceeds the upper limit value of the conditional expression (7) of the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment, refractive power of the third lens group becomes large, and it becomes difficult to correct superbly longitudinal chromatic aberration and spherical aberration. Meanwhile, in order to secure the advantageous effect of the present embodiment more surely, it is preferable to set the upper limit value of the conditional expression (7) to 1.750. Further, in order to secure the advantageous effect of the present embodiment much more surely, it is preferable to set the upper limit value of the conditional expression (7) to 1.700, and more preferable to 1.650.

In the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment, it is desirable that the following conditional expression (8) is satisfied: 50.000<νd3p  (8) where νd3p denotes Abbe's number of a lens having the smallest Abbe's number in the third lens group.

The conditional expression (8) defines Abbe's number of the lens having the smallest Abbe's number in the third lens group. With using glass material of low dispersion satisfying the conditional expression (8), the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment can let the third lens group have anomalous dispersion, and it becomes possible to correct superbly longitudinal chromatic aberration and spherical aberration.

When the value of νd3p in the conditional expression (8) of the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment, is equal to or falls below the lower limit value, it is not possible to let the third lens group have sufficient anomalous dispersion, and it becomes difficult to correct superbly longitudinal chromatic aberration and spherical aberration. Meanwhile, in order to secure the advantageous effect of the present embodiment more surely, it is preferable to set the lower limit value of the conditional expression (8) to 55.000. And, in order to secure the advantageous effect of the present embodiment much more surely, it is preferable to set the lower limit value of the conditional expression (8) to 58.000, and more preferable to 60.000.

In the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment, it is desirable that the following conditional expression (9) is satisfied: 0.500<1/βRw<1.000  (9) where βRw denotes transverse magnification of a lens group disposed on the most image plane side in the wide angle end state.

The conditional expression (9) defines the transverse magnification of the lens group disposed on the most image plane side in the wide angle end state. With satisfying the conditional expression (9), the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment can correct superbly astigmatism and other various aberrations in the wide angle end state.

When the value of 1/βRw is equal to or exceeds the upper limit value of the conditional expression (9) of the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment, the transverse magnification of the lens group disposed on the most image plane side in the wide angle end state, becomes small, and it becomes difficult to correct superbly various aberrations in the wide angle end state and, in particular, astigmatism. Meanwhile, in order to secure the advantageous effect of the present embodiment more surely, it is preferable to set the upper limit value of the conditional expression (9) to 0.950. Further, in order to secure the advantageous effect of the present embodiment much more surely, it is preferable to set the upper limit value of the conditional expression (9) to 0.900, and more preferable to 0.850.

On the other hand, when the value of 1/βRw in the conditional expression (9) of the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment, is equal to or falls below the lower limit value, the transverse magnification of the lens group disposed on the most image plane side in the wide angle end state, becomes large, and curvature of field is apt to be generated in the wide angle end state, and further it becomes difficult to correct superbly various aberrations. Meanwhile, in order to secure the advantageous effect of the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment more surely, it is preferable to set the lower limit value of the conditional expression (9) to 0.550. And in order to secure the advantageous effect of the present embodiment much more surely, it is preferable to set the lower limit value of the conditional expression (9) to 0.600, and more preferable to 0.650.

In the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment, it is desirable that the following conditional expression (10) is satisfied: 0.500<f2fn/f2<1.100  (10) where f2fn denotes a focal length of a most object side lens component in the second lens group, and f2 denotes a focal length of the second lens group.

The conditional expression (10) defines a ratio of the focal length of the most object side lens component in the second lens group relative to the focal length of the second lens group. With satisfying the conditional expression (10), the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment can arrange power of the most object side lens component in the second lens group properly, so that it is possible to correct superbly spherical aberration and other various aberrations.

When the value of f2fn/f2 is equal to or exceeds the upper limit value of the conditional expression (10) of the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment, refractive power of the most object side lens component in the second lens group becomes small, and it becomes difficult to correct superbly spherical aberration and other various aberrations. Meanwhile, in order to secure the advantageous effect of the present embodiment more surely, it is preferable to set the upper limit value of the conditional expression (10) to 1.000. Further, in order to secure the advantageous effect of the present embodiment much more surely, it is preferable to set the upper limit value of the conditional expression (10) to 0.900, and more preferable to 0.850.

On the other hand, when the value of f2fn/f2 in the conditional expression (10) of the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment, is equal to or falls below the lower limit value, refractive power of the most object side lens component in the second lens group becomes large, and it becomes difficult to correct superbly spherical aberration and other various aberrations. Meanwhile, in order to secure the advantageous effect of the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment more surely, it is preferable to set the lower limit value of the conditional expression (10) to 0.600. And in order to secure the advantageous effect of the present embodiment much more surely, it is preferable to set the lower limit value of the conditional expression (10) to 0.650 and more preferable to 0.700.

Further, in the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment, it is desirable that the following conditional expression (11) is satisfied: 0.300<fF/ft<1.400  (11) where fF denotes a focal length of the focusing lens group, and ft denotes a focal length of the variable magnification optical system in the telephoto end state.

The conditional expression (11) defines a ratio of the focal length of the focusing lens group relative to the focal length of the variable magnification optical system in the tele photo end state. With satisfying the conditional expression (11), the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment can suppress variations in spherical aberration and in other various aberrations upon focusing from an infinite distance object to a close distance object, and the variable magnification optical system and the lens barrel may be made small-sized.

When the value of fF/ft is equal to or exceeds the upper limit value of the conditional expression (11) of the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment, refractive power of the focusing lens group becomes small, and it becomes difficult to correct superbly variations in various aberrations and, in particular, variation in spherical aberration, upon focusing from an infinite distance object to a close distance object. Meanwhile, in order to secure the advantageous effect of the present embodiment more surely, it is preferable to set the upper limit value of the conditional expression (11) to 1.000. Further, in order to secure the advantageous effect of the present embodiment much more surely, it is preferable to set the upper limit value of the conditional expression (11) to 0.900, and more preferable to 0.850.

On the other hand, when the value of fF/ft in the conditional expression (11) of the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment, is equal to or falls below the lower limit value, refractive power of the focusing lens group becomes large, and it becomes difficult to correct variations in various aberrations upon focusing from an infinite distance object to a close distance object and, in particular, variation in spherical aberration superbly. Meanwhile, in order to secure the advantageous effect of the present embodiment more surely, it is preferable to set the lower limit value of the conditional expression (11) to 0.500. And in order to secure the advantageous effect of the present embodiment much more surely, it is preferable to set the lower limit value of the conditional expression (11) to 0.600, and more preferable to 0.700.

In the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment, it is desirable that the following conditional expression (12) is satisfied: 40.00°<ωw<85.00°  (12) where ωw denotes a half angle of view of the variable magnification optical system in the wide angle end state.

The conditional expression (12) defines the half angle of view of the variable magnification optical system in the wide angle end state. With satisfying the conditional expression (12), the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment can correct superbly various aberrations such as coma aberration, distortion and curvature of field and others, while maintaining large angle of view.

When the value of ωw is equal to or exceeds the upper limit value of the conditional expression (12) of the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment, the angle of view becomes too large and it becomes difficult to correct superbly various aberrations, such as, coma aberration, distortion and curvature of field. Meanwhile, in order to secure the advantageous effect of the present embodiment more surely, it is preferable to set the upper limit value of the conditional expression (12) to 84.00°. Further, in order to secure the advantageous effect of the present embodiment much more surely, it is preferable to set the upper limit value of the conditional expression (12) to 83.00°, and more preferable to 82.00°.

On the other hand, when the value of ωw in the conditional expression (12) of the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment, is equal to or falls below the lower limit value, the angle of view becomes small and it becomes difficult to correct superbly various aberrations. Meanwhile, in order to secure the advantageous effect of the present embodiment more surely, it is preferable to set the lower limit value of the conditional expression (12) to 41.00°. Further, in order to secure the advantageous effect of the present embodiment much more surely, it is preferable to set the lower limit value of the conditional expression (12) to 42.00°, and more preferable to 43.00°.

The optical apparatus of the present embodiment is equipped with the variable magnification optical system having the above described configuration, so it is possible to realize an optical apparatus which is compatible with a large-sized imaging device in spite that the optical apparatus is small-sized, and which can correct superbly various aberrations upon varying magnification as well as upon focusing.

A method for manufacturing a variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment, is a method for manufacturing a variable magnification optical system which comprises, in order from an object side, a first lens group having positive refractive power, a second lens group having negative refractive power, a third lens group having positive refractive power and a rear lens group having positive refractive power;

configuring such that, upon varying a magnification from a wide angle end state to a telephoto end state, a distance between said first lens group and said second lens group is varied, a distance between said second lens group and said third lens group is varied, and a distance between said third lens group and said rear lens group is varied;

configuring such that said rear lens group comprises a focusing lens group which is moved upon carrying out focusing from an infinite distance object to a close distance object; and

configuring such that the following conditional expressions (1) and (2) are satisfied: −1.00<f3f/f3r<−0.0500  (1) 0.100<BFw/fw<1.00  (2)

where f3f denotes a focal length of a most image plane side negative lens component in said third lens group; f3r denotes a composite focal length of lens components disposed on a side which is closer to the object than said most image plane side negative lens component in said third lens group; BFw denotes aback focus of said variable magnification optical system in a wide angle end state; and fw denotes a focal length of said variable magnification optical system in the wide angle end state.

By this method, it is possible to manufacture a variable magnification optical system which is compatible with a large-sized imaging device in spite that the optical system is small-sized, and which can correct superbly various aberrations upon varying magnification as well as upon focusing.

Hereinafter, the variable magnification optical systems relating to numerical examples of the present embodiment will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First Example

FIGS. 1A, 1B and 1C are, respectively, cross sectional views in a wide angle end state, in an intermediate focal length state and in an telephoto end state, of a variable magnification optical system according to a First Example of the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment. Arrows below each lens group in FIG. 1A show directions of movements of respective lens groups upon varying magnification from a wide angle end state to an intermediate focal length state. Arrows below each lens group in FIG. 1B show movement trajectories of respective lens groups upon varying magnification from the intermediate focal length state to a telephoto end state.

The variable magnification optical system according to the present Example is composed of, in order from an object side along the optical axis, a first lens group G1 having positive refractive power, a second lens group G2 having negative refractive power, an aperture stop S, a third lens group G3 having positive refractive power, and a rear lens group GR having positive refractive power.

The first lens group G1 consists of a cemented lens constructed by, in order from the object side along the optical axis, a negative meniscus lens L11 having a convex surface facing the object side cemented with a positive meniscus lens L12 having a convex surface facing the object side.

The second lens group G2 consists of, in order from the object side along the optical axis, a negative meniscus lens L21 having a convex surface facing the object side, a double concave negative lens L22, and a positive meniscus lens L23 having a convex surface facing the object side. The negative meniscus lens L21 is a glass mold type aspherical lens whose image plane I side lens surface is aspherical.

The third lens group G3 consists of, in order from the object side along the optical axis, a double convex positive lens L31, a cemented lens constructed by a negative meniscus lens L32 having a convex surface facing the object side cemented with a double convex positive lens L33, and a cemented lens constructed by a double concave negative lens L34 cemented with a double convex positive lens L35. The double convex positive lens L31 is a glass mold type aspherical lens whose object side lens surface is aspherical.

The rear lens group GR is composed of, in order from the object side along the optical axis, a fourth lens group G4 having positive refractive power and a fifth lens group G5 having negative refractive power.

The fourth lens group G4 consists of, in order from the object side along the optical axis, a negative meniscus lens L41 having a concave surface facing the object side, and a double convex positive lens L42. The double convex positive lens L42 is a glass mold type aspherical lens whose image plane I side lens surface is aspherical.

The fifth lens group G5 consists of, in order from the object side along the optical axis, a positive meniscus lens L51 having a concave surface facing the object side and a double concave negative lens L52. The positive meniscus lens L51 is a glass mold type aspherical lens whose image plane I side lens surface is aspherical.

A filter FL such as a low pass filter is disposed between the fifth lens group G5 and the image plane I.

On the image plane I, an imaging device (not shown) composed of CCD, CMOS or the like is disposed.

In the variable magnification optical system according to the present Example, upon varying magnification from the wide angle end state to the telephoto end state, all lens groups of the first lens group G1 to the fifth lens group G5 are moved along the optical axis such that a distance between the first lens group G1 and the second lens group G2, a distance between the second lens group G2 and the third lens group G3, a distance between the third lens group G3 and the fourth lens group G4, and a distance between the fourth lens group G4 and the fifth lens group G5, are varied. The aperture stop S is moved in a body with the third lens group G3 upon varying magnification from the wide angle end state to the telephoto end state.

In the variable magnification optical system according to the present Example, focusing from an infinite distance object to a close distance object is carried out by moving the fourth lens group G4 toward the object along the optical axis as a focusing lens group.

Table 1 below shows various values of the variable magnification optical system relating to the present Example.

In [Surface Data], “m” denotes an order of an optical surface counted from the object side, “r” denotes a radius of curvature, “d” denotes a surface-to-surface distance, that is, an interval from an n-th surface to an (n+1)-th surface, where n is an integer, “nd” denotes refractive index for d-line (wavelength λ=587.6 nm) and “νd” denotes an Abbe's number for d-line (wavelength λ=587.6 nm). Further, “OP” denotes an object surface, “Dn” denotes a variable surface-to-surface distance, where n is an integer, “S” denotes an aperture stop, and “I” denotes an image plane. Meanwhile, radius of curvature r=∞ denotes a plane surface, and refractive index of the air nd=1.00000 is omitted. In addition, an aspherical surface is expressed by attaching “*” to the surface number, and in the column of the radius of curvature “r”, a paraxial radius of curvature is shown.

In [Various Data], “f” denotes a focal length, “FNO” denotes an F-number, “ω” denotes a half angle of view (unit “°”), “Y” denotes a maximum image height, and “TL” denotes a total length of the variable magnification optical system according to the present Example, that is, a distance along the optical axis from the first lens surface to the image plane I. BF denotes a back focus, that is, a distance on the optical axis from a most image side lens surface to the image plane I, and BF (air converted length) is a value of the distance on the optical axis from the most image side lens surface to the image plane I measured in a state where optical block(s) such as filter(s) is (are) removed from on the optical path. Meanwhile, “W” denotes a wide angle end state, “M” denotes an intermediate focal length state, “T” denotes a tele photo end state.

In [Lens Group Data], a starting surface number “ST” and a focal length “f” of each lens group are shown.

In [Aspherical Surface Data], with respect to aspherical surface (s) shown in the [Surface Data], a shape of the aspherical surface is exhibited by the following expression: X=(h ² /r)/[1+[1−κ(h/r)²]^(1/2)]+A4h ⁴ +A6h ⁶ +A8h ⁸ +A10y ¹⁰

where h denotes a vertical height from the optical axis; X denotes a sag amount which is a distance along the optical axis from the tangent plane at the vertex of the aspherical surface to the aspherical surface at the vertical height h; κ denotes a conical coefficient; A4, A6, A8 and A10 each denotes an aspherical surface coefficient; r denotes a radius of curvature of a reference sphere, that is, a paraxial radius of curvature. Meanwhile, “E-n” denotes “×10^(−n)”, in which “n” is an integer, and for example “1.234E-05” denotes “1.234×10⁻⁵”. The second order aspherical coefficient A2 is 0 and omitted.

In [Variable Distance Data], Dn denotes a surface to surface distance from n-th surface to (n+1)-th surface, where n is an integer. Further, W denotes a wide-angle end state, M denotes an intermediate focal length state, T denotes a telephoto end state, “Infinite” denotes time on which an infinite distance object is focused, and “Close” denotes time on which a close distance object is focused.

In [Values for Conditional Expressions], values with respect to respective conditional expressions are shown.

The focal length “f”, the radius of curvature “r” and other units on the length described in Table 1 involve using generally [mm], however, the optical system acquires the equal optical performance even when proportionally enlarged or reduced and is not therefore limited to this unit.

Note that the descriptions of the reference numerals and symbols in Table 1 are the same in the subsequent Examples.

TABLE 1 First Example [Surface Data] m r d nd υd OP ∞  1 73.00000 2.150 1.84666 23.8  2 47.49515 8.600 1.75500 52.3  3 417.04330 D3  4 400.00000 1.800 1.74353 49.5  *5 17.04241 8.087  6 −181.13172 1.350 1.75500 52.3  7 49.98466 2.108  8 37.80684 3.693 2.00069 25.5  9 235.22758 D9  10(S) ∞ 1.500 *11 25.88353 4.048 1.55332 71.7  12 −254.63176 0.800  13 52.19394 1.000 1.83481 42.7  14 26.38369 3.546 1.61800 63.3  15 −150.00000 3.743  16 −33.68615 1.000 1.81600 46.6  17 17.28639 6.494 1.59319 67.9  18 −23.04098 D18  19 −22.45485 1.000 1.80100 34.9  20 −41.05177 0.103  21 59.92172 6.115 1.59201 67.0 *22 −26.25646 D22  23 −40.60645 3.489 1.58913 61.2 *24 −24.00000 5.786  25 −24.36536 1.500 1.61800 63.3  26 107.45414 D26  27 ∞ 1.600 1.51680 64.1  28 ∞ D28 I ∞ [Various Data] Variable magnification ratio 2.75 W M T f 24.72 46.31 67.91 FNo 4.00 4.00 4.00 ω 43.3 24.0 16.7 Y 21.70 21.70 21.70 TL 121.583 134.978 151.029 BF 15.558 28.486 36.144 BF(air converted length) 15.013 27.941 35.599 [Lens Group Data] Lens Group ST f 1^(st) Lens Group 1 125.09 2^(nd) Lens Group 4 −28.96 3^(rd) Lens Group 10 39.65 4^(th) Lens Group 19 56.05 5^(th) Lens Group 23 −51.52 [Aspherical Surface Data] Surface Number: 5 K = 0.00000e+00 A4 = 2.11342e−05 A6 = 4.21453e−08 A8 = −3.77216e−11 A10 = 4.44697e−13 Surface Number: 11 K = 1.00000e+00 A4 = −5.01541e−06 A6 = 1.10914e−09 A8 = 4.72876e−11 A10 = −3.55280e−13 Surface Number: 22 K = 1.00000e+00 A4 = 1.52181e−05 A6 = −2.09730e−08 A8 = −1.77284e−11 A10 = −1.36838e−13 Surface Number: 24 K = 1.00000e+00 A4 = 3. 09258e−06 A6 = 3.56902e−08 A8 = −3.36788e−11 A10 = 3.80333e−13 [Variable Distance Data] W M T W M T Infinite Infinite Infinite Close Close Close D3 1.600 17.195 31.254 1.600 17.195 31.254 D9 23.690 8.562 2.895 23.690 8.562 2.895 D18 4.579 8.446 10.823 2.148 3.205 2.313 D22 8.245 4.378 2.000 10.675 9.619 10.510 D26 13.858 26.785 34.444 13.858 26.785 34.444 D28 0.100 0.101 0.101 0.100 0.101 0.101 [Values for Conditional Expressions] (1) f3f/f3r = −0.2127 (2) BFw/fw = 0.6901 (3) f1/fw = 5.0602 (4) βFw = 0.5234 (5) f5/f3 = −1.2993 (6) f1/f1Rw = 5.7747 (7) nd3fp = 1.5533 (8) υd3p = 71.6835 (9) 1/βRw = 0.7853 (10) f2fn/f2 = 0.8285 (11) fF/ft = 0.8254 (12) ωw = 43.3420°

FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B and FIG. 2C are graphs showing various aberrations upon focusing on an infinite distance object, respectively, in the wide angle end state, in the intermediate focal length state and in the telephoto end state, of the variable magnification optical system according to the First Example.

FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B and FIG. 3C are graphs showing various aberrations upon focusing on a close distance object, respectively, in the wide angle end state, in the intermediate focal length state and in the telephoto end state, of the variable magnification optical system according to the First Example.

In the respective graphs showing aberrations, “FNO” denotes an F-number, “NA” denotes a numerical aperture, and “A” denotes an incident angle of light rays, that is, a half angle of view (unit “°”), and “HO” denotes an object height (unit: mm). In detail, in graphs showing spherical aberrations, the value of F-number FNO or numerical aperture NA corresponding to the maximum aperture is shown. In graphs showing astigmatism and distortions, the maximum values of the half angle of view or of the object height are shown respectively, and in graphs showing coma aberration, each half angle of view or each object height is shown. “d” denotes abberatino for d-line (wavelength λ=587.6 nm), “g” denotes abberatino for g-line (wavelength λ=435.8 nm), and graphs with “g” or “d” being not attached, show aberration for d-line. In graphs showing astigmatism, a solid line indicates a sagittal image plane, and a broken line indicates a meridional image plane. In graphs showing coma aberration, coma aberration in each half angle of view or each object height, that is, transverse aberration is shown. Meanwhile, in graphs showing various aberrations in the respective Examples as described below, the same symbols as in the present Example are employed.

As is apparent from the above-mentioned graphs showing aberrations, it is understood that the variable magnification optical system relating to the present Example can correct superbly various aberrations over the wide angle end state to the telephoto end state and has excellent imaging performance, and further has excellent imaging performance even upon focusing on a close distance object.

Second Example

FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B and FIG. 4C are, respectively, cross sectional views in a wide angle end state, in an intermediate focal length state and in a telephoto end state, of a variable magnification optical system according to a Second Example of the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment. Arrows below each lens group in FIG. 4A show directions of movements of respective lens groups upon varying magnification from the wide angle end state to the intermediate focal length state. Arrows below each lens group in FIG. 4B show movement trajectories of respective lens groups upon varying magnification from the intermediate focal length state to the telephoto end state.

The variable magnification optical system according to the present Example is composed of, in order from an object side along the optical axis, a first lens group G1 having positive refractive power, a second lens group G2 having negative refractive power, an aperture stop S, a third lens group G3 having positive refractive power, and a rear lens group GR having positive refractive power.

The first lens group G1 consists of a cemented lens constructed by, in order from the object side along the optical axis, a negative meniscus lens L11 having a convex surface facing the object side cemented with a positive meniscus lens L12 having a convex surface facing the object side.

The second lens group G2 consists of, in order from the object side along the optical axis, a negative meniscus lens L21 having a convex surface facing the object side, a double concave negative lens L22, and a positive meniscus lens L23 having a convex surface facing the object side. The negative meniscus lens L21 is a glass mold type aspherical lens whose image plane I side lens surface is aspherical.

The third lens group G3 consists of, in order from the object side along the optical axis, a double convex positive lens L31, a cemented lens constructed by a negative meniscus lens L32 having a convex surface facing the object side cemented with a double convex positive lens L33, and a cemented lens constructed by a double concave negative lens L34 cemented with a double convex positive lens L35. The double convex positive lens L31 is a glass mold type aspherical lens whose object side lens surface is aspherical.

The rear lens group GR is composed of, in order from the object side along the optical axis, a fourth lens group G4 having positive refractive power and a fifth lens group G5 having negative refractive power.

The fourth lens group G4 consists of, in order from the object side, a negative meniscus lens L41 having a concave surface facing the object side, and a double convex positive lens L42. The double convex positive lens L42 is a glass mold type aspherical lens whose image plane I side lens surface is aspherical.

The fifth lens group G5 consists of, in order from the object side along the optical axis, a positive meniscus lens L51 having a concave surface facing the object side and a double concave negative lens L52. The positive meniscus lens L51 is a glass mold type aspherical lens whose image plane I side lens surface is aspherical.

A filter FL such as a low pass filter is disposed between the fifth lens group G5 and the image plane I.

On the image plane I, an imaging device (not shown) composed of CCD, CMOS or the like is disposed.

In the variable magnification optical system according to the present Example, upon varying magnification from the wide angle end state to the telephoto end state, all lens groups of the first lens group G1 to the fifth lens group G5 are moved along the optical axis such that a distance between the first lens group G1 and the second lens group G2, a distance between the second lens group G2 and the third lens group G3, a distance between the third lens group G3 and the fourth lens group G4, and a distance between the fourth lens group G4 and the fifth lens group G5, are varied. The aperture stop S is moved in a body with the third lens group G3 upon varying magnification from the wide angle end state to the telephoto end state.

In the variable magnification optical system according to the present Example, focusing from an infinite distance object to a close distance object is carried out by moving the fourth lens group G4 toward the object along the optical axis as a focusing lens group.

Table 2 below shows various values of the variable magnification optical system relating to the present Example.

TABLE 2 Second Example [Surface Data] m r d nd υd OP ∞  1 71.32483 2.150 1.84666 23.8  2 47.40907 8.400 1.75500 52.3  3 322.63295 D3  4 400.00000 1.800 1.74353 49.5  *5 16.36859 9.475  6 −167.05753 2.029 1.75500 52.3  7 52.89355 0.797  8 36.08835 4.010 2.00069 25.5  9 256.44936 D9  10(S) ∞ 1.500 *11 25.91417 3.857 1.55332 71.7  12 −275.22572 1.078  13 51.71743 1.000 1.83481 42.7  14 21.38295 4.402 1.61800 63.3  15 −80.10599 3.539  16 −29.70942 1.000 1.81600 46.6  17 18.35723 5.582 1.59349 67.0  18 −21.31475 D18  19 −21.98830 1.000 1.74950 35.2  20 −53.12352 0.100  21 62.90338 5.816 1.62263 58.2 *22 −25.22856 D22  23 −35.90246 3.521 1.62263 58.2 *24 −23.00000 6.177  25 −23.30716 1.500 1.61800 63.3  26 150.39447 D26  27 ∞ 1.600 1.51680 64.1  28 ∞ D28 I ∞ [Various Data] Variable magnification ratio 2.75 W M T f 24.72 46.31 67.90 FNo 4.00 4.00 4.00 ω 43.6 24.3 16.8 Y 21.70 21.70 21.70 TL 122.013 134.611 152.248 BF 15.085 29.244 35.661 BF(air converted length) 14.540 28.699 35.116 [Lens Group Data] Lens Group ST f 1^(st) Lens Group 1 128.74 2^(nd) Lens Group 4 −28.81 3^(rd) Lens Group 10 38.09 4^(th) Lens Group 19 60.73 5^(th) Lens Group 23 −52.48 [Aspherical Surface Data] Surface Number: 5 K = 0.00000e+00 A4 = 2.31089e−05 A6 = 3.91931e−08 A8 = 8.80919e−12 A10 = 3.83889e−13 Surface Number: 11 K = 1.00000e+00 A4 = −6.11034e−06 A6 = 4.65530e−09 A8 = −7.97458e−11 A10 = 3.48297e−13 Surface Number: 22 K = 1.00000e+00 A4 = 1.49147e−05 A6 = −1.52664e−08 A8 = −4.38703e−11 A10 = −3.36461e−14 Surface Number: 24 K = 1.00000e+00 A4 = 3.38657e−06 A6 = 2.78770e−08 A8 = 3.43065e−11 A10 = 1.67177e−13 [Variable Distance Data] W M T W M T Infinite Infinite Infinite Close Close Close D3 1.607 15.176 31.798 1.607 15.176 31.798 D9 23.402 8.272 2.870 23.402 8.272 2.870 D18 4.665 9.193 11.184 2.019 3.622 2.045 D22 8.519 3.992 2.000 11.165 9.562 11.139 D26 13.385 27.544 33.962 13.385 27.544 33.962 D28 0.100 0.099 0.099 0.099 0.099 0.099 [Values for Conditional Expressions] (1) f3f/f3r = −0.2058 (2) BFw/fw = 0.6709 (3) f1/fw = 5.2079 (4) βFw = 0.5717 (5) f5/f3 = −1.3777 (6) f1/f1Rw = 5.9279 (7) nd3fp = 1.5533 (8) υd3p = 71.6835 (9) 1/βRw = 0.7923 (10) f2fn/f2 = 0.7983 (11) fF/ft = 0.8944 (12) ωw = 43.6046°

FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B and FIG. 5C are graphs showing various aberrations upon focusing on an infinite distance object, respectively, in the wide angle end state, in the intermediate focal length state and in the telephoto end state, of the variable magnification optical system according to the Second Example.

FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B and FIG. 6C are graphs showing various aberrations upon focusing on a close distance object, respectively, in the wide angle end state, in the intermediate focal length state and in the telephoto end state, of the variable magnification optical system according to the Second Example.

As is apparent from the above-mentioned graphs showing aberrations, it is understood that the variable magnification optical system relating to the present Example can correct superbly various aberrations over the wide angle end state to the telephoto end state and has excellent imaging performance, and further has excellent imaging performance even upon focusing on a close distance object.

Third Example

FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B and FIG. 7C are, respectively, cross sectional views in a wide angle end state, in an intermediate focal length state and in a telephoto end state, of a variable magnification optical system according to a Third Example of the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment. Arrows below each lens group in FIG. 7A show directions of movements of respective lens groups upon varying magnification from a wide angle end state to an intermediate focal length state. Arrows below each lens group in FIG. 7B show movement trajectories of respective lens groups upon varying magnification from the intermediate focal length state to a telephoto end state.

The variable magnification optical system according to the present Example is composed of, in order from an object side along the optical axis, a first lens group G1 having positive refractive power, a second lens group G2 having negative refractive power, an aperture stop S, a third lens group G3 having positive refractive power, and a rear lens group GR having positive refractive power.

The first lens group G1 consists of a cemented lens constructed by, in order from the object side along the optical axis, a negative meniscus lens L11 having a convex surface facing the object side cemented with a positive meniscus lens L12 having a convex surface facing the object side.

The second lens group G2 consists of, in order from the object side along the optical axis, a negative meniscus lens L21 having a convex surface facing the object side, a double concave negative lens L22, and a positive meniscus lens L23 having a convex surface facing the object side. The negative meniscus lens L21 is a glass mold type aspherical lens whose image plane I side lens surface is aspherical.

The third lens group G3 consists of, in order from the object side along the optical axis, a positive meniscus lens L31 having a convex surface facing the object side, a cemented lens constructed by a negative meniscus lens L32 having a convex surface facing the object side cemented with a double convex positive lens L33, and a cemented lens constructed by a double concave negative lens L34 cemented with a double convex positive lens L35. The positive meniscus lens L31 is a glass mold type aspherical lens whose object side lens surface is aspherical.

The rear lens group GR is composed of, in order from the object side along the optical axis, a fourth lens group G4 having positive refractive power and a fifth lens group G5 having negative refractive power.

The fourth lens group G4 consists of, in order from the object side along the optical axis, a negative meniscus lens L41 having a concave surface facing the object side, and a double convex positive lens L42. The double convex positive lens L42 is a glass mold type aspherical lens whose image plane I side lens surface is aspherical.

The fifth lens group G5 consists of, in order from the object side along the optical axis, a positive meniscus lens L51 having a concave surface facing the object side and a double concave negative lens L52. The positive meniscus lens L51 is a glass mold type aspherical lens whose image plane I side lens surface is aspherical.

A filter FL such as a low pass filter is disposed between the fifth lens group G5 and the image plane I.

On the image plane I, an imaging device (not shown) composed of CCD, CMOS or the like is disposed.

In the variable magnification optical system according to the present Example, upon varying magnification from the wide angle end state to the telephoto end state, all lens groups of the first lens group G1 to the fifth lens group G5 are moved along the optical axis such that a distance between the first lens group G1 and the second lens group G2, a distance between the second lens group G2 and the third lens group G3, a distance between the third lens group G3 and the fourth lens group G4, and a distance between the fourth lens group G4 and the fifth lens group G5, are varied. The aperture stop S is moved in a body with the third lens group G3 upon varying magnification from the wide angle end state to the telephoto end state.

In the variable magnification optical system according to the present Example, focusing from an infinite distance object to a close distance object is carried out by moving the fourth lens group G4 toward the object along the optical axis as a focusing lens group.

Table 3 below shows various values of the variable magnification optical system relating to the present Example.

TABLE 3 Third Example [Surface Data] m r d nd νd OP ∞  1 77.74447 2.150 1.84666 23.8  2 53.55851 8.020 1.72916 54.6  3 478.39025 D3   4 1000.00000 2.000 1.74250 49.4 *5 17.13499 9.008  6 −103.78967 1.500 1.75500 52.3  7 80.88445 0.942  8 41.82797 3.959 2.00069 25.5  9 874.65992 D9  10(S) ∞ 1.500 *11  25.63046 3.669 1.55332 71.7 12 649.10845 0.500 13 43.22955 1.000 1.83481 42.7 14 18.28418 4.715 1.61800 63.3 15 −90.27190 4.286 16 −32.75074 1.000 1.81600 46.6 17 18.81533 5.331 1.59349 67.0 18 −22.38426 D18 19 −20.95545 1.000 1.80610 33.3 20 −38.43736 0.450 21 70.13258 6.000 1.62263 58.2 *22  −25.20560 D22 23 −28.47777 3.307 1.69350 53.3 *24  −21.27208 6.193 25 −24.27627 1.500 1.61881 63.9 26 106.34326 D26 27 ∞ 1.600 1.51680 64.1 28 ∞ D28 I ∞ [Various Data] Variable magnification ratio 2.75 W M T f 24.72 46.31 67.90 FNo 4.00 4.28 4.00 ω 43.9 24.1 16.6 Y 21.70 21.70 21.70 TL 121.939 132.931 151.948 BF 14.546 28.656 35.001 BF (air converted 14.000 28.111 34.456 length) [Lens Group Data] Lens Group ST f 1^(st) Lens Group  1 137.34 2^(nd) Lens Group  4 −31.18 3^(rd) Lens Group 10 38.77 4^(th) Lens Group 19 54.86 5^(th) Lens Group 23 −47.21 [Aspherical Surface Data] Surface Number: 5 K = 0.00000e+00 A4 = 2.00686e−05 A6 = 2.97810e−08 A8 = 2.98043e−11 A10 = 1.72509e−13 Surface Number: 11 K = 1.00000e+00 A4 = −5.31955e−06 A6 = 1.45892e−09 A8 = 2.19477e−11 A10 = −2.48946e−13 Surface Number: 22 K = 1.00000e+00 A4 = 1.44228e−05 A6 = −1.30721e−08 A8 = 5.35466e−12 A10 = −2.19209e−13 Surface Number: 24 K = 1.00000e+00 A4 = 5.35295e−06 A6 = 2.89950e−08 A8 = −2.95842e−11 A10 = 3.75280e−13 [Variable Distance Data] W M T W M T Infinite Infinite Infinite Close Close Close D3  1.704 15.094 33.353 1.704 15.094 33.353 D9  24.986 8.476 2.890 24.986 8.476 2.890 D18 4.613 8.792 10.677 2.183 3.795 2.527 D22 8.064 3.886 2.000 10.494 8.882 10.150 D26 12.846 26.958 33.303 12.846 26.958 33.303 D28 0.100 0.099 0.098 0.099 0.098 0.098 [Values for Conditional Expressions]  (1) f3f/f3r = −0.2001  (2) BFw/fw = 0.6491  (3) f1/fw = 5.5559  (4) βFw = 0.5546  (5) f5/f3 = −1.2178  (6) fl/f1Rw = 6.2478  (7) nd3fp = 1.5533  (8) νd3p = 71.6835  (9) 1/βRw = 0.7706 (10) f2fn/f2 = 0.7537 (11) fF/ft = 0.8080 (12) ωw = 43.9044°

FIG. 8A, FIG. 8B and FIG. 8C are graphs showing various aberrations upon focusing on an infinite distance object, respectively, in the wide angle end state, in the intermediate focal length state and in the telephoto end state, of the variable magnification optical system according to the Third Example.

FIG. 9A, FIG. 9B and FIG. 9C are graphs showing various aberrations upon focusing on a close distance object, respectively, in the wide angle end state, in the intermediate focal length state and in the telephoto end state, of the variable magnification optical system according to the Third Example.

As is apparent from the above-mentioned graphs showing aberrations, it is understood that the variable magnification optical system relating to the present Example can correct superbly various aberrations over the wide angle end state to the telephoto end state and has excellent performance, and further has excellent imaging performance even upon focusing on a close distance object.

Fourth Example

FIG. 10A, FIG. 10B and FIG. 10C are, respectively, cross sectional views in a wide angle end state, in an intermediate focal length state and in a telephoto end state, of a variable magnification optical system according to a Fourth Example of the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment. Arrows below each lens group in FIG. 10A show directions of movements of respective lens groups upon varying magnification from a wide angle end state to an intermediate focal length state. Arrows below each lens group in FIG. 10B show movement trajectories of respective lens groups upon varying magnification from the intermediate focal length state to a telephoto end state.

The variable magnification optical system according to the present Example is composed of, in order from an object side along the optical axis, a first lens group G1 having positive refractive power, a second lens group G2 having negative refractive power, an aperture stop S, a third lens group G3 having positive refractive power, and a rear lens group GR having positive refractive power.

The first lens group G1 consists of a cemented lens constructed by, in order from the object side along the optical axis, a negative meniscus lens L11 having a convex surface facing the object side cemented with a positive meniscus lens L12 having a convex surface facing the object side.

The second lens group G2 consists of, in order from the object side along the optical axis, a negative meniscus lens L21 having a convex surface facing the object side, a double concave negative lens L22, and a positive meniscus lens L23 having a convex surface facing the object side. The negative meniscus lens L21 is a glass mold type aspherical lens whose image plane I side lens surface is aspherical.

The third lens group G3 consists of, in order from the object side along the optical axis, a positive meniscus lens L31 having a convex surface facing the object side, a cemented lens constructed by a negative meniscus lens L32 having a convex surface facing the object side cemented with a double convex positive lens L33, and a cemented lens constructed by a double concave negative lens L34 cemented with a double convex positive lens L35. The positive meniscus lens L31 is a glass mold type aspherical lens whose object side lens surface is aspherical.

The rear lens group GR is composed of, in order from the object side along the optical axis, a fourth lens group G4 having positive refractive power and a fifth lens group G5 having negative refractive power.

The fourth lens group G4 consists of, in order from the object side along the optical axis, a negative meniscus lens L41 having a concave surface facing the object side, and a double convex positive lens L42. The double convex positive lens L42 is a glass mold type aspherical lens whose image plane I side lens surface is aspherical.

The fifth lens group G5 consists of, in order from the object side, a positive meniscus lens L51 having a concave surface facing the object side and a double concave negative lens L52. The positive meniscus lens L51 is a glass mold type aspherical lens whose image plane I side lens surface is aspherical.

A filter FL such as a low pass filter is disposed between the fifth lens group G5 and the image plane I.

On the image plane I, an imaging device (not shown) composed of CCD, CMOS or the like is disposed.

In the variable magnification optical system according to the present Example, upon varying magnification from the wide angle end state to the telephoto end state, all lens groups of the first lens group G1 to the fifth lens group G5 are moved along the optical axis such that a distance between the first lens group G1 and the second lens group G2, a distance between the second lens group G2 and the third lens group G3, a distance between the third lens group G3 and the fourth lens group G4, and a distance between the fourth lens group G4 and the fifth lens group G5, are varied. The aperture stop S is moved in a body with the third lens group G3 upon varying magnification from the wide angle end state to the telephoto end state.

In the variable magnification optical system according to the present Example, focusing from an infinite distance object to a close distance object is carried out by moving the fourth lens group G4 toward the object along the optical axis as a focusing lens group.

Table 4 below shows various values of the variable magnification optical system relating to the present Example.

TABLE 4 Fourth Example [Surface Data] m r d nd νd OP ∞  1 76.69882 2.150 1.84666 23.8  2 49.37863 8.183 1.75500 52.3  3 439.48582 D3   4 1000.00000 2.000 1.74250 49.4 *5 17.13499 9.947  6 −92.86562 1.500 1.75500 52.3  7 89.43926 1.284  8 45.22218 3.631 2.00069 25.5  9 1279.93050 D9  10(S) ∞ 1.500 *11  25.91677 3.597 1.55332 71.7 12 261.64746 0.300 13 38.95443 1.000 1.83481 42.7 14 23.18065 4.122 1.61800 63.3 15 −155.71305 4.035 16 −65.68195 1.000 1.83481 42.7 17 15.75952 5.135 1.61800 63.3 18 −32.57355 D18 19 −20.56363 2.000 1.80100 34.9 20 −34.41474 1.000 21 89.46436 6.000 1.59201 67.0 *22  −24.96683 D22 23 −34.33374 3.425 1.55332 71.7 *24  −23.28316 4.520 25 −24.47581 1.500 1.61881 63.9 26 132.00709 D26 27 ∞ 1.500 1.51680 64.1 28 ∞ D28 I ∞ [Various Data] Variable magnification ratio 2.75 W M T f 24.72 46.31 67.90 FNo 4.00 4.18 4.00 ω 43.6 23.8 16.5 Y 21.70 21.70 21.70 TL 121.051 133.285 149.815 BF 14.060 26.434 33.679 BF(air converted 13.549 25.923 33.168 length) [Lens Group Data] Lens Group ST f 1^(st) Lens Group  1 131.85 2^(nd) Lens Group  4 −29.95 3^(rd) Lens Group 10 35.73 4^(th) Lens Group 19 55.25 5^(th) Lens Group 23 −46.59 [Aspherical Surface Data] Surface Number: 5 K = 0.00000e+00 A4 = 1.93492e−05 A6 = 2.97056e−08 A8 = 3.40451e−11 A10 = 1.36704e−13 Surface Number: 11 K = 1.00000e+00 A4 = −5.53738e−06 A6 = 5.67727e−10 A8 = 5.02317e−11 A10 = −4.30689e−13 Surface Number: 22 K = 1.00000e+00 A4 = 1.49131e−05 A6 = −1.16787e−08 A8 = 1.79818e−12 A10 = −2.00447e−13 Surface Number: 24 K = 1.00000e+00 A4 = 3.34976e−06 A6 = 2.85281e−08 A8 = −3.37056e−11 A10 = 3.81301e−13 [Variable Distance Data] W M T W M T Infinite Infinite Infinite Close Close Close D3  1.800 17.426 32.352 1.800 17.426 32.352 D9  23.692 7.926 2.285 23.692 7.926 2.285 D18 5.643 9.324 11.669 2.987 3.852 2.996 D22 8.025 4.345 2.000 10.681 9.817 10.673 D26 12.460 24.834 32.078 12.460 24.834 32.078 D28 0.100 0.101 0.101 0.100 0.101 0.101 [Values for Conditional Expressions]  (1) f3f/f3r = −0.1708  (2) BFw/fw = 0.6294  (3) f1/fw = 5.3337  (4) βFw = 0.6214  (5) f5/f3 = −1.3040  (6) f1/f1Rw = 6.0287  (7) nd3fp = 1.5533  (8) νd3p = 71.6835  (9) 1/βRw = 0.7672 (10) f2fn/f2 = 0.7846 (11) fF/ft = 0.8135 (12) ωw = 43.5536°

FIG. 11A, FIG. 11B and FIG. 11C are graphs showing various aberrations upon focusing on an infinite distance object, respectively, in the wide angle end state, in the intermediate focal length state and in the telephoto end state, of the variable magnification optical system according to the Fourth Example.

FIG. 12A, FIG. 12B and FIG. 12C are graphs showing various aberrations upon focusing on a close distance object, respectively, in the wide angle end state, in the intermediate focal length state and in the telephoto end state, of the variable magnification optical system according to the Fourth Example.

As is apparent from the above-mentioned graphs showing aberrations, it is understood that the variable magnification optical system relating to the present Example can correct superbly various aberrations over the wide angle end state to the telephoto end state and has excellent imaging performance, and further has excellent imaging performance even upon focusing on a close distance object.

Fifth Example

FIG. 13A, FIG. 13B and FIG. 13C are, respectively, cross sectional views in a wide angle end state, in an intermediate focal length state and in a telephoto end state, of a variable magnification optical system according to a Fifth Example of the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment. Arrows below each lens group in FIG. 13A show directions of movements of respective lens groups upon varying magnification from a wide angle end state to an intermediate focal length state. Arrows below each lens group in FIG. 13B show movement trajectories of respective lens groups upon varying magnification from the intermediate focal length state to a telephoto end state.

The variable magnification optical system according to the present Example is composed of, in order from an object side along the optical axis, a first lens group G1 having positive refractive power, a second lens group G2 having negative refractive power, an aperture stop S, a third lens group G3 having positive refractive power, and a rear lens group GR having positive refractive power.

The first lens group G1 consists of a cemented lens constructed by, in order from the object side along the optical axis, a negative meniscus lens L11 having a convex surface facing the object side cemented with a positive meniscus lens L12 having a convex surface facing the object side.

The second lens group G2 consists of, in order from the object side along the optical axis, a negative meniscus lens L21 having a convex surface facing the object side, a double concave negative lens L22, and a positive meniscus lens L23 having a convex surface facing the object side. The negative meniscus lens L21 is a glass mold type aspherical lens whose object side lens surface and image plane I side lens surface are aspherical.

The third lens group G3 consists of, in order from the object side along the optical axis, a positive meniscus lens L31 having a convex surface facing the object side, a cemented lens constructed by a double convex positive lens L32 cemented with a negative meniscus lens L33 having a concave surface facing the object side and a cemented lens constructed by a double concave negative lens L34 cemented with a double convex positive lens L35. The positive meniscus lens L31 is a glass mold type aspherical lens whose object side lens surface is aspherical.

The rear lens group GR is composed of, in order from the object side along the optical axis, a fourth lens group G4 having positive refractive power and a fifth lens group G5 having negative refractive power.

The fourth lens group G4 consists of, in order from the object side along the optical axis, a negative meniscus lens L41 having a concave surface facing the object side, and a double convex positive lens L42. The double convex positive lens L42 is a glass mold type aspherical lens whose image plane I side lens surface is aspherical.

The fifth lens group G5 consists of, in order from the object side along the optical axis, a double concave negative lens L51 and a positive meniscus lens L52 having a convex surface facing the object side.

A filter FL such as a low pass filter is disposed between the fifth lens group G5 and the image plane I.

On the image plane I, an imaging device (not shown) composed of CCD, CMOS or the like is disposed.

In the variable magnification optical system according to the present Example, upon varying magnification from the wide angle end state to the telephoto end state, all lens groups of the first lens group G1 to the fifth lens group G5 are moved along the optical axis such that a distance between the first lens group G1 and the second lens group G2, a distance between the second lens group G2 and the third lens group G3, a distance between the third lens group G3 and the fourth lens group G4, and a distance between the fourth lens group G4 and the fifth lens group G5, are varied. The aperture stop S is moved in a body with the third lens group G3 upon varying magnification from the wide angle end state to the telephoto end state.

In the variable magnification optical system according to the present Example, focusing from an infinite distance object to a close distance object is carried out by moving the fourth lens group G4 toward the object along the optical axis as a focusing lens group.

Table 5 below shows various values of the variable magnification optical system relating to the present Example.

TABLE 5 Fifth Example [Surface Data] m r d nd νd OP ∞  1 78.28661 2.200 1.94595 18.0  2 55.12139 7.465 1.83481 42.7  3 416.58751 D3  *4 600.00000 2.000 1.74330 49.3 *5 14.79065 9.268  6 −80.00000 1.500 1.49782 82.6  7 112.11004 0.150  8 35.97822 3.589 2.00069 25.5  9 115.26124 D9  10(S) ∞ 1.500 *11  22.34807 3.756 1.61881 63.9 12 215.30357 4.534 13 116.19602 4.736 1.61800 63.3 14 −16.99559 1.000 1.61266 44.5 15 −42.70583 0.150 16 −3080.10830 1.000 1.83481 42.7 17 14.42589 4.664 1.49782 82.6 18 −73.51276 D18 19 −32.33307 1.000 1.80100 34.9 20 −94.44385 0.415 21 34.51492 5.500 1.69350 53.2 *22  −39.28206 D22 23 −146.73735 1.500 1.59319 67.9 24 27.39699 2.426 25 58.23961 2.594 1.69895 30.1 26 100.00000 D26 27 ∞ 1.500 1.51680 64.1 28 ∞ D28 I ∞ [Various Data] Variable magnification ratio 2.75 W M T f 24.71 46.30 67.86 FNo 4.00 4.16 4.00 ω 43.3 23.8 16.5 Y 21.70 21.70 21.70 TL 117.744 130.814 147.913 BF 19.640 33.380 41.487 BF(air converted 19.129 32.869 40.976 length) [Lens Group Data] Lens Group ST f 1^(st) Lens Group  1 121.95 2^(nd) Lens Group  4 −27.81 3^(rd) Lens Group 10 36.02 4^(th) Lens Group 19 45.26 5^(th) Lens Group 23 −48.61 [Aspherical Surface Data] Surface Number: 4 K = 1.00000e+00 A4 = 1.94041e−06 A6 = −1.27348e−08 A8 = 2.13014e−11 A10 = −1.37676e−14 Surface Number: 5 K = 0.00000e+00 A4 = 2.59781e−05 A6 = 6.01951e−08 A8 = −1.23842e−10 A10 = 2.09998e−13 Surface Number: 11 K = 1.00000e+00 A4 = −1.43227e−05 A6 = 1.69157e−08 A8 = −3.97283e−10 A10 = 1.27743e−12 Surface Number: 22 K = 1.00000e+00 A4 = 1.66914e−05 A6 = −1.21729e−08 A8 = −1.24851e−12 A10 = 9.57183e−15 [Variable Distance Data] W M T W M T Infinite Infinite Infinite Close Close Close D3  2.000 16.993 31.289 2.000 16.993 31.289 D9  24.595 8.932 3.628 24.595 8.932 3.628 D18 4.555 7.160 9.062 2.811 3.351 2.811 D22 6.007 3.402 1.500 7.751 7.211 7.751 D26 18.040 31.781 39.888 18.040 31.781 39.888 D28 0.100 0.100 0.100 0.100 0.099 0.100 [Values for Conditional Expressions]  (1) f3f/f3r = −0.4100  (2) BFw/fw = 0.8998  (3) f1/fw = 4.9349  (4) βFw = 0.5108  (5) f5/f3 = −1.3496  (6) f1/f1Rw = 5.6533  (7) nd3fp = 1.6188  (8) νd3p = 63.8544  (9) 1/βRw = 0.6758 (10) f2fn/f2 = 0.7346 (11) fF/ft = 0.6668 (12) ωw = 43.2711°

FIG. 14A, FIG. 14B and FIG. 14C are graphs showing various aberrations upon focusing on an infinite distance object, respectively, in the wide angle end state, in the intermediate focal length state and in the telephoto end state, of the variable magnification optical system according to the Fifth Example.

FIG. 15A, FIG. 15B and FIG. 15C are graphs showing various aberrations upon focusing on a close distance object, respectively, in the wide angle end state, in the intermediate focal length state and in the telephoto end state, of the variable magnification optical system according to the Fifth Example.

As is apparent from the above-mentioned graphs showing aberrations, it is understood that the variable magnification optical system relating to the present Example can correct superbly various aberrations over the wide angle end state to the telephoto end state and has excellent imaging performance, and further has excellent imaging performance even upon focusing on a close distance object.

Sixth Example

FIG. 16A, FIG. 16B and FIG. 16C are, respectively, cross sectional views in a wide angle end state, in an intermediate focal length end state and in a telephoto end state, of a variable magnification optical system according to a Sixth Example of the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment. Arrows below each lens group in FIG. 16A show directions of movements of respective lens groups upon varying magnification from a wide angle end state to an intermediate focal length state. Arrows below each lens group in FIG. 16B show movement trajectories of respective lens groups upon varying magnification from the intermediate focal length state to a telephoto end state.

The variable magnification optical system according to the present Example is composed of, in order from an object side along the optical axis, a first lens group G1 having positive refractive power, a second lens group G2 having negative refractive power, an aperture stop S, a third lens group G3 having positive refractive power, and a rear lens group GR having positive refractive power.

The first lens group G1 consists of a cemented lens constructed by, in order from the object side along the optical axis, a negative meniscus lens L11 having a convex surface facing the object side cemented with a positive meniscus lens L12 having a convex surface facing the object side.

The second lens group G2 consists of, in order from the object side along the optical axis, a negative meniscus lens L21 having a convex surface facing the object side, a double concave negative lens L22, and a positive meniscus lens L23 having a convex surface facing the object side. The negative meniscus lens L21 is a glass mold type aspherical lens whose image plane I side lens surface is aspherical.

The third lens group G3 consists of, in order from the object side along the optical axis, a double convex positive lens L31, a cemented lens constructed by a positive meniscus lens L32 having a concave surface facing the object side cemented with a negative meniscus lens L33 having a concave surface facing the object side, and a cemented lens constructed by a negative meniscus lens L34 having a convex surface facing the object side cemented with a positive meniscus lens L35 having a convex surface facing the object side. The double convex positive lens L31 is a glass mold type aspherical lens whose object side lens surface is aspherical.

The rear lens group GR is composed of, in order from the object side along the optical axis, a fourth lens group G4 having positive refractive power and a fifth lens group G5 having negative refractive power.

The fourth lens group G4 consists of, in order from the object side along the optical axis, a negative meniscus lens L41 having a concave surface facing the object side, and a positive meniscus lens L42 having a concave surface facing the object side. The negative meniscus lens L41 is a glass mold type aspherical lens whose object side lens surface is aspherical. The positive meniscus lens L42 is a glass mold type aspherical lens whose image plane I side lens surface is aspherical.

The fifth lens group G5 consists of, in order from the object side along the optical axis, a positive meniscus lens L51 having concave surface facing the object side and a double concave negative lens L52.

A filter FL such as a low pass filter is disposed between the fifth lens group G5 and the image plane I.

On the image plane I, an imaging device (not shown) composed of CCD, CMOS or the like is disposed.

In the variable magnification optical system according to the present Example, upon varying magnification from the wide angle end state to the telephoto end state, all lens groups of the first lens group G1 to the fifth lens group G5 are moved along the optical axis such that a distance between the first lens group G1 and the second lens group G2, a distance between the second lens group G2 and the third lens group G3, a distance between the third lens group G3 and the fourth lens group G4, and a distance between the fourth lens group G4 and the fifth lens group G5, are varied. The aperture stop S is moved in a body with the third lens group G3 upon varying magnification from the wide angle end state to the telephoto end state.

In the variable magnification optical system according to the present Example, focusing from an infinite distance object to a close distance object is carried out by moving the fourth lens group G4 toward the object along the optical axis as a focusing lens group.

Table 6 below shows various values of the variable magnification optical system relating to the present Example.

TABLE 6 Sixth Example [Surface Data] m r d nd νd OP ∞  1 60.32635 2.039 1.80809 22.7  2 41.97920 8.268 1.75500 52.3  3 207.34902 D3   4 1000.00000 2.000 1.82886 42.3 *5 15.73567 8.461  6 −59.96573 1.500 1.49782 82.6  7 49.78382 0.150  8 35.18437 4.075 1.98917 26.2  9 1619.58040 D9  10(S) ∞ 1.500 *11  25.50000 4.170 1.55332 71.7 12 −65.45591 3.367 13 −32.91804 3.671 1.83645 42.6 14 −14.77178 1.500 1.94754 27.1 15 −26.35178 0.150 16 26.26299 1.500 1.99662 26.6 17 13.56251 3.695 1.64836 33.2 18 37.92217 D18 *19  −45.13942 1.500 1.58313 59.4 20 −55.10622 4.314 21 −45.22291 5.000 1.55332 71.7 *22  −17.65257 D22 23 −60.30075 8.069 1.65648 32.5 24 −15.50000 1.500 1.75698 36.7 25 290.03399 D25 26 ∞ 1.500 1.51680 64.1 27 ∞ D27 I ∞ [Various Data] Variable magnification ratio 2.75 W M T f 24.72 46.31 67.90 FNo 4.00 4.09 4.00 ω 44.7 24.0 16.7 Y 21.70 21.70 21.70 TL 116.526 128.486 142.973 BF 14.627 25.478 33.218 BF (air converted 14.116 24.967 32.707 length) [Lens Group Data] Lens Group ST f 1^(st) Lens Group  1 114.00 2^(nd) Lens Group  4 −26.90 3^(rd) Lens Group 10 31.86 4^(th) Lens Group 19 53.18 5^(th) Lens Group 23 −48.77 [Aspherical Surface Data] Surface Number: 5 K = 0.00000e+00 A4 = 2.28397e−05 A6 = 5.52091e−08 A8 = −3.85159e−11 A10 = 3.96575e−13 Surface Number: 11 K = 1.00000e+00 A4 = −1.02420e−05 A6 = −5.12185e−09 A8 = −2.80701e−11 A10 = −2.18997e−13 Surface Number: 19 K = 1.00000e+00 A4 = −3.49441e−05 A6 = −2.07361e−07 A8 = 1.87328e−09 A10 = −1.70790e−11 Surface Number: 22 K = 1.00000e+00 A4 = 7.10600e−06 A6 = −6.76172e−08 A8 = 4.93526e−10 A10 = −2.53168e−12 [Variable Distance Data] W M T W M T Infinite Infinite Infinite Close Close Close D3  2.000 17.776 29.427 2.000 17.776 29.427 D9  21.834 7.167 2.262 21.834 7.167 2.262 D18 4.820 7.522 10.636 2.245 2.026 1.830 D22 6.816 4.114 1.000 9.392 9.610 9.806 D25 13.027 23.878 31.619 13.027 23.878 31.619 D27 0.100 0.100 0.100 0.100 0.100 0.100 [Values for Conditional Expressions]  (1) f3f/f3r = −0.0982  (2) BFw/fw = 0.6524  (3) f1/fw = 4.6115  (4) βFw = 0.6567  (5) f5/f3 = −1.5310  (6) f1/f1Rw = 5.3365  (7) nd3fp = 1.5533  (8) νd3p = 71.6835  (9) 1/βRw = 0.7366 (10) f2fn/f2 = 0.7177 (11) fF/ft = 0.7832 (12) ωw = 44.7194°

FIG. 17A, FIG. 17B and FIG. 17C are graphs showing various aberrations upon focusing on an infinite distance object, respectively, in the wide angle end state, in the intermediate focal length state and in the telephoto end state, of the variable magnification optical system according to the Sixth Example.

FIG. 18A, FIG. 18B and FIG. 18C are graphs showing various aberrations upon focusing on a close distance object, respectively, in the wide angle end state, in the intermediate focal length state and in the telephoto end state, of the variable magnification optical system according to the Sixth Example.

As is apparent from the above-mentioned graphs showing aberrations, it is understood that the variable magnification optical system relating to the present Example can correct superbly various aberrations over the wide angle end state to the telephoto end state and has excellent imaging performance, and further has excellent imaging performance even upon focusing on a close distance object.

Seventh Example

FIG. 19A, FIG. 19B and FIG. 19C are, respectively, cross sectional views in a wide angle end state, in an intermediate focal length state and in a telephoto end state, of a variable magnification optical system according to a Seventh Example of the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment. Arrows below each lens group in FIG. 19A show directions of movements of respective lens groups upon varying magnification from a wide angle end state to an intermediate focal length state. Arrows below each lens group in FIG. 19B show movement trajectories of respective lens groups upon varying magnification from the intermediate focal length state to the telephoto end state.

The variable magnification optical system according to the present Example is composed of, in order from an object side along the optical axis, a first lens group G1 having positive refractive power, a second lens group G2 having negative refractive power, an aperture stop S, a third lens group G3 having positive refractive power, and a rear lens group GR having positive refractive power.

The first lens group G1 consists of a cemented lens constructed by, in order from the object side along the optical axis, a negative meniscus lens L11 having a convex surface facing the object side cemented with a double convex positive lens L12.

The second lens group G2 consists of, in order from the object side along the optical axis, a negative meniscus lens L21 having a convex surface facing the object side, a negative meniscus lens L22 having a concave surface facing the object side, and a positive meniscus lens L23 having a convex surface facing the object side. The negative meniscus lens L21 is a glass mold type aspherical lens whose object side lens surface and image plane I side lens surface are aspherical.

The third lens group G3 consists of, in order from the object side along the optical axis, a positive meniscus lens L31 having a convex surface facing the object side, a positive meniscus lens L32 having a convex surface facing the object side, and a cemented lens constructed by a positive meniscus lens L33 having a convex surface facing the object side cemented with a negative meniscus lens L34 having a convex surface facing the object side. The positive meniscus lens L31 is a glass mold type aspherical lens whose object side lens surface is aspherical.

The rear lens group GR is composed of, in order from the object side along the optical axis, a fourth lens group G4 having positive refractive power, a fifth lens group G5 having negative refractive power and a sixth lens group G6 having negative refractive power.

The fourth lens group G4 consists of a double convex positive lens L41. The double convex positive lens L41 is a glass mold type aspherical lens whose object side lens surface and image plane I side lens surface are aspherical.

The fifth lens group G5 consists of a negative meniscus lens L51 having a convex surface facing the object side. The negative meniscus lens group L51 is a glass mold type aspherical lens whose object side lens surface is aspherical.

The sixth lens group G6 consists of a negative meniscus lens L61 having a concave surface facing the object side.

A filter FL such as a low pass filter is disposed between the sixth lens group G6 and the image plane I.

On the image plane I, an imaging device (not shown) composed of CCD, CMOS or the like is disposed.

In the variable magnification optical system according to the present Example, upon varying magnification from the wide angle end state to the telephoto end state, the first lens group G1, the second lens group G2, the third lens group G3, the fourth lens group G4 and the fifth lens group G5, are moved along the optical axis such that a distance between the first lens group G1 and the second lens group G2, a distance between the second lens group G2 and the third lens group G3, a distance between the third lens group G3 and the fourth lens group G4, a distance between the fourth lens group G4 and the fifth lens group G5 and a distance between the fifth lens group G5 and the sixth lens group G6 are varied. At this time, the sixth lens group G6 is fixed in its position with respect to the image plane I. The aperture stop S is moved in a body with the third lens group G3 upon varying magnification from the wide angle end state to the telephoto end state.

In the variable magnification optical system according to the present Example, focusing from an infinite distance object to a close distance object is carried out by moving the fourth lens group G4 toward the object along the optical axis as a focusing lens group.

Table 7 below shows various values of the variable magnification optical system relating to the present Example.

TABLE 7 Seventh Example [Surface Data] m r d nd νd OP ∞  1 101.78373 2.263 1.84666 23.8  2 64.09488 8.457 1.75500 52.3  3 −4649.78570 D3  *4 338.09183 2.000 1.85135 40.1 *5 17.62582 9.239  6 −31.88780 1.500 1.49782 82.6  7 −480.92591 0.150  8 48.76651 3.362 2.00069 25.5  9 1462.00720 D9  10(S) ∞ 1.500 *11  40.00000 3.061 1.49710 81.5 12 746.47149 0.150 13 56.62003 3.000 1.85896 22.7 14 1991.68980 0.150 15 22.31377 3.732 1.49782 82.6 16 102.88645 1.500 1.85896 22.7 17 20.13958 D17 *18  25.58334 5.130 1.49710 81.5 *19  −26.20789 D19 *20  44.84857 1.500 1.74330 49.3 21 19.56479 D21 22 −58.99276 0.839 1.61800 63.3 23 −84.99207 21.000 24 1.500 1.51680 64.1 25 ∞ D25 I ∞ [Various Data] Variable magnification ratio 2.75 W M T f 24.72 46.32 67.90 FNo 4.02 4.01 4.02 ω 43.5 23.3 16.4 Y 21.70 21.70 21.70 TL 115.000 129.999 145.678 BF 22.601 22.601 22.602 BF (air converted 22.090 22.090 22.091 length) [Lens Group Data] Lens Group ST f 1^(st) Lens Group  1 141.68 2^(nd) Lens Group  4 −27.31 3^(rd) Lens Group 10 59.45 4^(th) Lens Group 18 26.93 5^(th) Lens Group 20 −47.90 6^(th) Lens Group 22 −315.95 [Aspherical Surface Data] Surface Number: 4 K = 1.00000e+00 A4 = 1.12967e−05 A6 = −4.46018e−08 A8 = 1.00140e−10 A10 = −1.05741e−13 Surface Number: 5 K = 0.00000e+00 A4 = 3.44021e−05 A6 = 7.39481e−08 A8 = −2.03619e−10 A10 = 1.51680e−12 Surface Number: 11 K = 1.00000e+00 A4 = −6.99848e−06 A6 = −1.23976e−08 A8 = 1.83746e−10 A10 = −4.96062e−13 Surface Number: 18 K = 1.00000e+00 A4 = −1.46574e−05 A6 = 2.12049e−07 A8 = −8.82713e−10 A10 = −5.22530e−12 Surface Number: 19 K = 1.00000e+00 A4 = 2.32857e−05 A6 = 1.32158e−07 A8 = −5.88648e−10 A10 = −6.83977e−12 Surface Number: 20 K = 1.00000e+00 A4 = 4.54779e−06 A6 = −1.12679e−08 A8 = −3.81570e−10 A10 = 0.00000e+00 [Variable Distance Data] W M T W M T Infinite Infinite Infinite Close Close Close D3  2.000 22.166 34.570 2.000 22.166 34.570 D9  24.510 8.331 2.222 24.510 8.331 2.222 D17 5.931 5.867 5.409 4.929 3.275 0.788 D19 4.569 3.472 1.944 5.571 6.063 6.565 D21 7.856 20.029 31.398 7.856 20.029 31.398 D25 0.101 0.101 0.102 0.101 0.101 0.103 [Values for Conditional Expressions]  (1) f3f/f3r = −0.5270  (2) BFw/fw = 0.9668  (3) f1/fw = 5.7316  (4) βFw = 0.0452  (5) f5/f3 = −0.8058  (6) f1/f1Rw = 6.3640  (7) nd3fp = 1.4971  (8) νd3p = 81.5584  (9) 1/βRw = 0.9286 (10) f2fn/f2 = 0.8021 (11) fF/ft = 0.3965 (12) ωw = 43.4833°

FIG. 20A, FIG. 20B and FIG. 20C are graphs showing various aberrations upon focusing on an infinite distance object, respectively, in the wide angle end state, in the intermediate focal length state and in the telephoto end state, of the variable magnification optical system according to the Seventh Example.

FIG. 21A, FIG. 21B and FIG. 21C are graphs showing various aberrations upon focusing on a close distance object, respectively, in the wide angle end state, in the intermediate focal length state and in the telephoto end state, of the variable magnification optical system according to the Seventh Example.

As is apparent from the above-mentioned graphs showing aberrations, it is understood that the variable magnification optical system relating to the present Example can correct superbly various aberrations over the wide angle end state to the telephoto end state and has excellent imaging performance, and further has excellent imaging performance even upon focusing on a close distance object.

Eight Example

FIG. 22A, FIG. 22B and FIG. 22C are, respectively, cross sectional views in a wide angle end state, in an intermediate focal length state and in a telephoto end state, of a variable magnification optical system according to an Eighth Example of the variable magnification optical system of the present embodiment. Arrows below each lens group in FIG. 22A show directions of movements of respective lens groups upon varying magnification from a wide angle end state to an intermediate focal length state. Arrows below each lens group in FIG. 22B show movement trajectories of respective lens groups upon varying magnification from the intermediate focal length state to a telephoto end state.

The variable magnification optical system according to the present Example is composed of, in order from an object side along the optical axis, a first lens group G1 having positive refractive power, a second lens group G2 having negative refractive power, an aperture stop S, a third lens group G3 having positive refractive power, and a rear lens group GR having positive refractive power.

The first lens group G1 consists of a cemented lens constructed by, in order from the object side along the optical axis, a negative meniscus lens L11 having a convex surface facing the object side cemented with a double convex positive lens L12.

The second lens group G2 consists of, in order from the object side along the optical axis, a negative meniscus lens L21 having a convex surface facing the object side, a double concave negative lens L22, and a positive meniscus lens L23 having a convex surface facing the object side. The negative meniscus lens L21 is a glass mold type aspherical lens whose image plane I side lens surface is aspherical.

The third lens group G3 consists of, in order from the object side along the optical axis, a double convex positive lens L31, a cemented lens constructed by a negative meniscus lens L32 having a convex surface facing the object side cemented with a double convex positive lens L33, and a cemented lens constructed by a positive meniscus lens L34 having a concave surface facing the object side cemented with a double concave negative lens L35. The double convex positive lens L31 is a glass mold type aspherical lens whose object side lens surface is aspherical.

The rear lens group GR is composed of, in order from the object side along the optical axis, a fourth lens group G4 having positive refractive power and a fifth lens group G5 having negative refractive power.

The fourth lens group G4 consists of, in order from the object side along the optical axis, a positive meniscus lens L41 having a convex surface facing the object side, and a double convex positive lens L42. The double convex positive lens L42 is a glass mold type aspherical lens whose object side lens surface and image plane I side lens surface are aspherical.

The fifth lens group G5 consists of a cemented lens constructed by, in order from the object side along the optical axis, a double convex positive lens L51 and a double concave negative lens L52. The double concave negative lens L52 is a glass mold type aspherical lens whose object side lens surface is aspherical.

A filter FL such as a low pass filter is disposed between the fifth lens group G5 and the image plane I.

On the image plane I, an imaging device (not shown) composed of CCD, CMOS or the like is disposed.

In the variable magnification optical system according to the present Example, upon varying magnification from the wide angle end state to the telephoto end state, all lens groups of the first lens group G1 to the fifth lens group G5 are moved along the optical axis such that a distance between the first lens group G1 and the second lens group G2, a distance between the second lens group G2 and the third lens group G3, a distance between the third lens group G3 and the fourth lens group G4, and a distance between the fourth lens group G4 and the fifth lens group G5, are varied. The aperture stop S is moved in a body with the third lens group G3 upon varying magnification from the wide angle end state to the telephoto end state.

In the variable magnification optical system according to the present Example, focusing from an infinite distance object to a close distance object is carried out by moving the positive meniscus lens L41 of the fourth lens group G4 toward the object along the optical axis as a focusing lens group.

Table 8 below shows various values of the variable magnification optical system relating to the present Example.

TABLE 8 Eighth Example [Surface Data] m r d nd νd OP ∞  1 116.51174 2.150 1.84666 23.8  2 68.14169 8.500 1.75500 52.3  3 −1607.21650 D3   4 643.64333 2.000 1.85135 40.1 *5 22.47852 12.291  6 −49.00635 1.500 1.49782 82.6  7 35.41428 0.100  8 32.93414 4.000 2.00069 25.5  9 134.12564 D9  10(S) ∞ 1.500 *11  23.68026 5.000 1.55332 71.7 12 −51.23473 1.136 13 87.42815 1.000 1.97484 25.9 14 48.00600 5.000 1.61800 63.3 15 −93.41134 1.653 16 −27.67767 4.500 1.61800 63.3 17 −14.25207 1.000 1.63137 35.1 18 3549.62960 D18 19 34.01132 1.500 1.83858 33.3 20 52.01107 6.500 *21  505.55440 4.000 1.59201 67.0 *22  −61.72425 D22 23 106.95458 10.000 1.51680 64.1 24 −20.00000 1.500 1.74330 49.3 *25  144.50680 D25 26 ∞ 1.500 1.51680 64.1 27 ∞ D27 1.00000 I ∞ [Various Data] Variable magnification ratio 2.75 W M T f 24.72 46.31 67.89 FNo 4.00 4.00 4.00 ω 44.9 23.8 16.5 Y 21.70 21.70 21.70 TL 121.839 134.775 154.929 BF 14.062 27.994 39.252 BF (air converted 13.551 27.483 38.741 length) [Lens Group Data] Lens Group ST f 1^(st) Lens Group  1 156.61 2^(nd) Lens Group  4 −26.22 3^(rd) Lens Group 10 38.65 4^(th) Lens Group 19 53.93 5^(th) Lens Group 23 −89.77 [Aspherical Surface Data] Surface Number: 5 K = 0.00000e+00 A4 = 1.29856e−05 A6 = 3.72807e−08 A8 = −9.91643e−11 A10 = 5.62653e−13 Surface Number: 11 K = 1.00000e+00 A4 = −6.13337e−06 A6 = 1.52342e−08 A8 = −1.33494e−10 A10 = 5.07280e−13 Surface Number: 21 K = 1.00000e+00 A4 = −1.56957e−05 A6 = −4.44053e−08 A8 = −8.01823e−10 A10 = −6.52474e−14 Surface Number: 22 K = 1.00000e+00 A4 = 6.23173e−06 A6 = −4.75716e−08 A8 = −5.19265e−10 A10 = −1.02402e−13 Surface Number: 25 K = 1.00000e+00 A4 = 1.25490e−06 A6 = 3.00760e−08 A8 = −1.22687e−10 A10 = 3.40306e−13 [Variable Distance Data] W M T W M T Infinite Infinite Infinite Close Close Close D3  2.000 19.945 36.744 2.000 19.945 36.744 D9  20.989 5.771 1.000 20.989 5.771 1.000 D18 4.914 2.181 2.103 4.914 2.181 2.103 D22 5.044 4.055 1.000 6.288 6.671 5.279 D25 12.462 26.394 37.651 12.462 26.394 37.651 D27 0.100 0.100 0.101 0.100 0.100 0.101 [Values for Conditional Expressions]  (1) f3f/f3r = −0.5628  (2) BFw/fw = 0.6275  (3) f1/fw = 6.3354  (4) βFw = 0.7271  (5) f5/f3 = −2.3229  (6) f1/f1Rw = 8.1273  (7) nd3fp = 1.5533  (8) νd3p = 71.6835  (9) 1/βRw = 0.8894 (10) f2fn/f2 = 1.0450 (11) fF/ft = 1.3722 (12) ωw = 45.6019°

FIG. 23A, FIG. 23B and FIG. 23C are graphs showing various aberrations upon focusing on an infinite distance object, respectively, in the wide angle end state, in the intermediate focal length state and in the telephoto end state, of the variable magnification optical system according to the Eighth Example.

FIG. 24A, FIG. 24B and FIG. 24C are graphs showing various aberrations upon focusing on a close distance object, respectively, in the wide angle end state, in the intermediate focal length state and in the telephoto end state, of the variable magnification optical system according to the Eighth Example.

As is apparent from the above-mentioned graphs showing aberrations, it is understood that the variable magnification optical system relating to the present Example can correct superbly various aberrations over the wide angle end state to the telephoto end state and has excellent imaging performance, and further has excellent imaging performance even upon focusing on a close distance object.

According to the above described respective examples, it is possible to realize a variable magnification optical system which is compatible with a large-sized imaging device in spite that the optical system is small in size, and which can correct superbly various aberrations upon varying magnification over the wide angle end state to the telephoto end state, and further has excellent imaging performance even upon focusing on a close distance object.

Meanwhile, in the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment, a variable magnification ratio is in the range of 2 to 10 times and a 35 mm-size converted focal length in the wide angle end state is in the range of 20 to 30 mm. Further, in the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment, an F-number in the wide angle end state is in the range of about f/2.0 to f/4.5, the F-number in the telephoto end state is in the range of about f/2.0 to f/6.3.

Further, each of the above described Examples is a concrete example of the present embodiment, and the present embodiment is not limited to them. The contents described below can be adopted without deteriorating optical performance of the variable magnification optical systems according to the present embodiment.

Although variable magnification optical systems having a five group configuration or a six group configuration were illustrated above as numerical examples of the variable magnification optical systems according to the present embodiment, the present embodiment is not limited to them and variable magnification optical systems having other configurations, such as seven group configuration, or the like, can be configured. Concretely, a configuration that a lens or a lens group is added to the most object side or to the most image side of the variable magnification optical system according to the each of the above described Examples is possible. Alternatively, a lens or a lens group may be added between the first lens group G1 and the second lens group G2. Alternatively, a lens or a lens group may be added between the second lens group G2 and the third lens group G3. Alternatively, a lens or a lens group may be added between the third lens group G3 and the rear lens group GR.

Further, in each of the above described Examples, configurations that the rear lens group GR is composed of the fourth lens group G4 and the fifth lens group G5, or of the fourth lens group G4, fifth lens group G5 and the sixth lens groups G6, were illustrated, but configurations are not limited to them.

Further, in each of the above described Examples, a focusing lens group is composed of one lens group or a part of a lens group, but the focusing lens group may be composed of two or more lens groups. Auto focusing can be applied for such focusing group(s), and drive by motor for auto focusing, such as, ultrasonic motor, stepping motor or VCM motor may be suitably adopted.

Further, in the variable magnification optical systems according to each of the above described Examples, any lens group in the entirety thereof or a portion thereof can be moved in a direction including a component perpendicular to the optical axis as a vibration reduction lens group, or rotationally moved (swayed) in an in-plane direction including the optical axis, whereby a configuration of a vibration reduction can be taken.

Further, in the variable magnification optical systems according to each of the above described Examples, a lens surface of a lens may be a spherical surface, a plane surface, or an aspherical surface. When a lens surface is a spherical surface or a plane surface, lens processing, assembling and adjustment become easy, and it is possible to prevent deterioration in optical performance caused by lens processing, assembling and adjustment errors, so that it is preferable. Moreover, even if an image plane is shifted, deterioration in depiction performance is little, so that it is preferable. When a lens surface is an aspherical surface, the aspherical surface may be fabricated by a grinding process, a glass molding process that a glass material is formed into an aspherical shape by a mold, or a compound type process that a resin material is formed into an aspherical shape on a glass lens surface. A lens surface may be a diffractive optical surface, and a lens may be a graded-index type lens (GRIN lens) or a plastic lens.

Further, in the variable magnification optical systems according to each of the above described Examples, it is preferable that the aperture stop S is disposed between the second lens group G2 and the third lens group G3. But, the function may be substituted by a lens frame without disposing a member as an aperture stop.

Further, the lens surface(s) of the lenses configuring the variable magnification optical systems according to each of the above described Examples, may be coated with anti-reflection coating(s) having a high transmittance in a wide wavelength region. With this contrivance, it is feasible to reduce a flare as well as ghost and attain excellent optical performance with high contrast.

Next, a camera equipped with the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment, will be explained with referring to FIG. 25.

FIG. 25 is a view showing a configuration of the camera equipped with the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment.

The camera 1 as shown in FIG. 25, is a so-called mirror-less camera of a lens interchangeable type equipped with the variable magnification optical system according to the first Example as an imaging lens 2.

In the present camera 1, a light emitted from an unillustrated object (an object to be photo-taken) is converged by the imaging lens 2, through a unillustrated OLPF (Optical low pass filter), and forms an image of the object on an imaging plane of an image pick-up portion 3. The light from the object is photo-electrically converted through a photo-electric conversion element provided on the image pick-up portion 3 to form a picture image of the object. This picture image is displayed on an EVF (electric view finder) 4 provided on the camera 1. Accordingly, a photographer can observe the object to be photo-taken through the EVF.

Further, upon unillustrated release button being depressed by the photographer, the picture image of the object formed by the image pick-up portion 3 is stored in an unillustrated memory. Thus, the photographer can take a photo of the object.

It is noted here that the variable magnification optical system relating to the First Example in which the present camera 1 is equipped with the imaging lens 2, has superb optical performance as described above and is made small in size. In other words, the present camera 1 can be made small in size and attain superb optical performances that various aberrations can be corrected well from the wide angle end state to the telephoto end state and excellent imaging performance is attained even upon focusing on a close distance object.

Incidentally, when there is configured a camera in which the variable magnification optical system according to any of the before-mentioned Second to Eighth Examples is installed as the imaging lens 2, the camera also can attain the same effects as those of the above-mentioned camera 1. Further, even when the variable magnification optical system according to any of the above Examples is installed in a camera of a single lens reflex type equipped with a quick return mirror in which the object image is observed through a finder optical system, the camera also can attain the same effects as those of the above-mentioned camera 1.

Next, an outline of a method for manufacturing the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment, is described with referring to FIG. 26.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart schematically showing a method for manufacturing the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment.

The method for manufacturing the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment shown in FIG. 26, is a method for manufacturing a variable magnification optical system which comprises, in order from an object side, a first lens group having positive refractive power, a second lens group having negative refractive power, a third lens group having positive refractive power and a rear lens group having positive refractive power; the method comprising the following steps S1 to S3:

Step S1: constructing such that, upon varying a magnification from a wide angle end state to a telephoto end state, a distance between the first lens group and the second lens group is varied, a distance between the second lens group and the third lens group is varied, and a distance between the third lens group and the rear lens group is varied.

Step S2: constructing such that the rear lens group comprises a focusing lens group which is moved upon carrying out focusing from an infinite distance object to a close distance object.

Step S3: constructing such that the variable magnification optical system satisfies the following conditional expressions (1) and (2): −1.00<f3f/f3r<−0.0500  (1) 0.100<BFw/fw<1.00  (2)

where f3f denotes a focal length of a most image plane side negative lens component in the third lens group; f3r denotes a composite focal length of lens components disposed on a side which is closer to the object than the most image plane side negative lens component, in the third lens group; BFw denotes aback focus of the variable magnification optical system in a wide angle end state; and fw denotes a focal length of the variable magnification optical system in the wide angle end state.

According to the above-stated method for manufacturing the variable magnification optical system according to the present embodiment, it is possible to realize a variable magnification optical system, while being downsized, is compatible with a large-sized imaging device, and which can attain superb optical performances that various aberrations can be corrected well over from the wide angle end state to the telephoto end state and excellent imaging performance is attained even upon focusing on a close distance object.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

-   -   G1 first lens group     -   G2 second lens group     -   G3 third lens group     -   G4 fourth lens group     -   G5 fifth lens group     -   G6 sixth lens group     -   GR rear lens group     -   S aperture stop     -   I image plane 

What is claimed is:
 1. A variable magnification optical system comprises, in order from an object side, a first lens group having positive refractive power, a second lens group having negative refractive power, a third lens group having positive refractive power, and a rear lens group having positive refractive power; upon varying a magnification, a distance between said first lens group and said second lens group being varied, a distance between said second lens group and said third lens group being varied, and a distance between said third lens group and said rear lens group being varied; said rear lens group comprising a focusing lens group which is moved upon carrying out focusing; and the following conditional expressions being satisfied: −1.00<f3f/f3r<−0.0500 0.100<BFw/fw<1.00 where f3f denotes a focal length of a most image plane side negative lens component in said third lens group; f3r denotes a composite focal length of lens components disposed on a side which is closer to the object than said most image side negative lens component, in said third lens group; BFw denotes a back focus of said variable magnification optical system in a wide angle end state; and fw denotes a focal length of said variable magnification optical system in the wide angle end state.
 2. A variable magnification optical system according to claim 1, wherein the following conditional expression is satisfied: 2.00<f1/fw<8.000 where f1 denotes a focal length of the first lens group, and fw denotes a focal length of the variable magnification optical system in the wide angle end state.
 3. A variable magnification optical system according to claim 1, wherein the following conditional expression is satisfied: 0.040<βFw<0.800 where βFw denotes transverse magnification of the focusing lens group in the wide angle end state.
 4. A variable magnification optical system according to claim 1, wherein the rear lens group comprises a fourth lens group having positive refractive power, and a fifth lens group having negative refractive power, and the following conditional expression is satisfied: −3.000<f5/f3<−0.500 where f3 denotes a focal length of the third lens group, and f5 denotes a focal length of the fifth lens group.
 5. A variable magnification optical system according to claim 4, wherein said fourth lens group comprises said focusing group.
 6. A variable magnification optical system according to claim 1, wherein the following conditional expression is satisfied: 4.000<f1/f1Rw<9.000 where f1 denotes a focal length of the first lens group, and f1Rw denotes a composite focal length of lens groups in the wide angle end state disposed on the side which is closer to the image plane than the first lens group.
 7. A variable magnification optical system according to claim 1, wherein the following conditional expression is satisfied: nd3fp<1.800 where nd3fp denotes refractive index of a lens having the largest refractive index in the third lens group.
 8. A variable magnification optical system according to claim 1, wherein the following conditional expression is satisfied: 50.000<νd3p where νd3p denotes Abbe's number of a lens having the smallest Abbe's number in the third lens group.
 9. A variable magnification optical system according to claim 1, wherein the following conditional expression is satisfied: 0.500<1/βRw<1.000 where βRw denotes a transverse magnification of lens group disposed at the most image plane side in the wide angle end state.
 10. A variable magnification optical system according to claim 1, wherein the following conditional expression is satisfied: 0.500<f2fn/f2<1.100 where f2fn denotes a focal length of a most object side lens component in the second lens group, and f2 denotes a focal length of the second lens group.
 11. A variable magnification optical system according to claim 1, wherein the following conditional expression is satisfied: 0.300<fF/ft<1.400 where fF denotes a focal length of the focusing lens group, and ft denotes a focal length of the variable magnification optical system in the telephoto end state.
 12. A variable magnification optical system according to claim 1, wherein the following conditional expression is satisfied: 40.00°<ωw<85.00° where ωw denotes a half angle of view of the variable magnification optical system in the telephoto end state.
 13. An optical apparatus comprising a variable magnification optical system according to claim
 1. 14. A method for manufacturing a variable magnification optical system which comprises, in order from an object side, a first lens group having positive refractive power, a second lens group having negative refractive power, a third lens group having positive refractive power and a rear lens group having positive refractive power; the method comprising the following steps: constructing such that, upon varying a magnification, a distance between the first lens group and the second lens group is varied, a distance between the second lens group and the third lens group is varied, and a distance between the third lens group and the rear lens group is varied; constructing such that the rear lens group comprises a focusing lens group which is moved upon carrying out focusing; and constructing such that the following conditional expressions are satisfied: −1.00<f3f/f3r<−0.0500 0.100<BFw/fw<1.00 where f3f denotes a focal length of a most image plane side negative lens component in said third lens group; f3r denotes a composite focal length of lens components disposed on a side which is closer to the object than the most image plane side negative lens component, in the third lens group; BFw denotes a back focus of the variable magnification optical system in a wide angle end state; and fw denotes a focal length of the variable magnification optical system in the wide angle end state. 